Royal Victoria Place regeneration moves forward
Plans to revitalise Palm Court as part of the wider regeneration of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) in Tunbridge Wells have taken a major step forward with the Borough Council’s planning committee resolving to grant planning permission for the Palm Court proposals.
This marks an important milestone in the wider plans to improve the shopping centre and bring new life to a key part of it.
It will transform an area that isn’t used much at the moment, including the old basement food court and shops on both levels, into a more lively and welcoming space for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The proposals include putting a new energy-efficient roof over the atrium, inspired by Victorian glass palm houses. The retail space will also be improved, with larger, modern units designed to attract the kinds of brands people want to see in the town centre.
At the upper level, there will be better facilities, including improved access and new toilets, to make the space more comfortable and inclusive for everyone.
The atrium itself will be redesigned to make it easier to move around and to create a brighter, more attractive atmosphere. This will include better lighting, new flooring, updated finishes, and glass railings.
The old basement food court will be turned into a new leisure area, with a direct link to Ely Court and potential space for community activities.
Cllr Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Chair of the Investment Advisory Panel, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said:
“We’re really pleased to see these plans for Palm Court moving ahead. It’s a big step towards bringing our ideas for this part of Royal Victoria Place to life.
We’ve already made good progress since the Council bought the centre in 2023 – bringing in popular shops like Primark and Søstrene Grene, improving parking, putting on free events and supporting lots of local charities and community groups. All of that has helped increase footfall by around 9%, with even more visiting since the car park reopened in June 2025.
We’re excited to keep that momentum going and move ahead with the next stage of the project.”
The Palm Court project is part of a wider plan to turn Royal Victoria Place into a place people can visit throughout the day and evening, with a mix of shops, leisure activities, food, and drink options.
Planning permission still needs to go through final steps, but building work is expected to start towards the end of 2027.