Royal Victoria Place redevelopment FAQs

The redevelopment will transform Royal Victoria Place into a more vibrant destination that combines shopping, leisure and dining, creating a place people want to visit throughout the day and into the evening.

The proposals, which have been shaped by extensive public engagement, include:

• Improvements to Palm Court to create a more attractive, modern shopping and leisure environment.
• A new boutique cinema and restaurants uses at Ely Court, responding directly to what local people have been asking for.

These improvements will increase footfall, strengthen the evening economy and help future-proof Royal Victoria Place.

The Palm Court elements are moving ahead, with planning permission for the improvements receiving a resolution to grant on 24 June 2026 and the scheme being presented to Full Council for approval to build in November 2026.

The designs for Ely Court are progressing with the scheme being presented to Full Council in April 2027

The Market Square proposals have been decoupled from the project to be explored further in the future.

What improvements are planned for Palm Court?

The improvements to Palm Court, which received a resolution to grant planning permission on 24 June 2026, will create a brighter, more modern and sustainable shopping environment, including:

• Refurbished retail units that better meet the needs of retailers.
• Up to 22,000 sq ft of new space for leisure uses created by repurposing the former food court.
• A transformed central atrium with new flooring, glass balustrades and improved views.
• Modern, accessible public toilets.
• Sustainability improvements, including a new roof and more energy-efficient building systems.

There is already strong interest from retailers, with the Council's leasing agents working to attract new retailers to Palm Court.

This is a CGI of what Palm Court could look like according to the proposals presented during the public engagement in March 2026.

Ely Court will become a new leisure destination centred around a three-screen boutique cinema, alongside five new family-friendly restaurant units.

The proposals will create an attractive destination that brings more people into the town centre during the day and evening, helping support nearby businesses and strengthening Royal Tunbridge Wells' evening economy.

The design also retains the distinctive frontage of the Friendly Societies Building on Camden Road, respecting the area's historic character.

The proposals respond directly to long-standing public demand for a town centre cinema and form an important part of the wider transformation of Royal Victoria Place.

These are CGIs of what the view of Ely Court from Calverley Road (above CGI) and Ely Lane (below CGI) could look like according to the proposals presented during the public engagement in March 2026.

The redevelopment will be delivered in phases.

The Palm Court improvements are expected to be completed by 2029 and represent the first stage of the wider transformation of Royal Victoria Place. These improvements received a resolution to grant planning permission on 24 June 2026.

The Ely Court proposals will continue to progress through the design and planning process, while Market Square is being considered separately to allow further engagement without delaying the wider redevelopment.

The Council submitted a Certificate of Immunity from Listing application after the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society asked Historic England to consider listing the Friendly Societies Building.

An application is the quickest way to obtain a formal decision from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on whether the building should be listed. This provides greater certainty for the project, allowing future plans and investment decisions to progress as quickly as possible.

The Victoria Snooker Centre is a private members' club located within 3-7 Camden Road (the Friendly Societies Hall). This space is needed to be able to build a cinema that meets the cinema operator’s requirements. The Council is not seeking to close the club and although it does not have an obligation to to provide alternative accommodation, it has been working with its representatives to help identify suitable alternative premises within Royal Tunbridge Wells.

It is important to note that, should the Friendly Societies Building become listed, the club would still need to relocate.

Public feedback over several years has consistently shown that one of the most requested additions to Royal Victoria Place is a town-centre cinema.

The proposed venue is not a large out-of-town multiplex. Instead, it will be a boutique cinema offering a high-quality cinema experience as part of a wider evening out, alongside restaurants, cafés and leisure uses.

The Council expects the cinema to complement, rather than compete with, existing film venues such as Odeon and Trinity Theatre by attracting more people into the town centre and supporting a stronger evening economy.

A town centre cinema has consistently been one of the most requested improvements throughout the Council's public engagement, including a targeted survey of under-35s in January 2024.

In a borough-wide digital survey with 2,860 responses, 67.8% of people said they wanted a cinema in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The proposals for Ely Court respond directly to this long-standing public feedback, alongside demand for more leisure, restaurants and a stronger evening economy.

The Council is committed to working collaboratively with Trinity Theatre to ensure the two venues complement one another.

The aim is for the new boutique cinema to broaden the town's cultural offer rather than compete with existing venues. By working collaboratively on programming where possible, both venues can play an important role in creating a more vibrant town centre and evening economy.

The Council is already in discussions with a number of experienced cinema operators, and there is strong interest in the opportunity.

However, it is too early to confirm an operator while planning work for Ely Court continues. The Council is also awaiting a decision on the Certificate of Immunity from Listing application relating to the Friendly Societies Building, which will provide greater certainty for the project.

Once these processes are complete, the Council will be in a stronger position to confirm the chosen operator.

Yes. The project has been developed with advice from a leading cinema industry expert, and discussions with a range of operators have shown clear commercial interest in bringing a cinema to Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Operators have indicated they would be willing to make significant investment in the venue, reflecting their confidence in the town, its catchment and the long-term potential of the scheme.

This gives the Council confidence that the proposals are commercially viable and capable of attracting a high-quality operator.

The cinema industry has evolved, with audiences increasingly looking for a premium experience that offers more than simply watching a film.

A boutique cinema provides comfortable seating, high-quality food and drink and a welcoming environment where people can spend an evening with family and friends. Combined with new dining offers at Ely Court, it will help create a vibrant destination that encourages people to stay longer in the town centre.

Industry experts have advised the Council throughout the project and have identified strong interest from operators who are willing to invest in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Yes. The proposals have been shaped by extensive public engagement across four rounds:

• More than 8,000 people have taken part.
• Over 3,500 pieces of feedback have been received.
• More than 70% of respondents supported the proposed designs.
• During the latest engagement in March 2026, more than 600 people attended public events and 215 feedback forms were submitted.

The proposals for Palm Court and Ely Court reflect what people told us they want to see: A better shopping environment, more leisure opportunities, a cinema and a more vibrant town centre throughout the day and into the evening.

The businesses in Ely Court occupy units on short-term leases, reflecting the long-term redevelopment plans for this part of Royal Victoria Place.

The Council is working with businesses to explore opportunities elsewhere within the shopping centre where possible. Where that is not possible, businesses may relocate to other suitable town centre premises.

The aim is to support businesses through the transition while delivering the long-term improvements that will benefit Royal Victoria Place and the wider town centre.

Protecting the character of Royal Tunbridge Wells is a key principle of the redevelopment.

The proposals have been carefully designed to respect the town's heritage, particularly within the top of the town Conservation Area, while creating modern spaces that support the town centre's long-term future.

This includes:

• Retaining important historic frontages wherever possible.
• Protecting key views and sightlines.
• Carefully integrating new buildings, including the proposed cinema, into the existing streetscape.

The aim is to enhance Royal Victoria Place while respecting the distinctive character that makes Royal Tunbridge Wells unique.

Sustainability is at the heart of the redevelopment proposals, helping create a more energy-efficient and future-ready Royal Victoria Place.

Subject to planning approval, the development will:

• Use all-electric heating and cooling powered by heat pumps.
• Generate renewable energy through rooftop solar panels.
• Reuse existing structures wherever possible and prioritise low-carbon materials.
• Reduce construction waste by following circular economy principles.

The Council will also publish a whole-life carbon assessment, monitor the building's performance once complete and report on its energy use.

The development is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, demonstrating its commitment to high environmental standards while creating a more sustainable shopping centre for the future.

Market Square is being considered as a separate phase of the wider Royal Victoria Place redevelopment to allow more time for engagement and careful planning.

This approach means the Council can continue progressing the improvements to Palm Court and the proposals for Ely Court, while taking the time needed to explore the future of this sensitive part of the town centre.

Further engagement will take place with local stakeholders, community groups and current users, including those based at the Camden Centre, to help shape the next stage of proposals before any decisions are made.

Current estimates suggest the full redevelopment of Royal Victoria Place, including Palm Court, Ely Court and Market Square, will cost between £42 million and £68 million.

The final cost will depend on the detailed design and delivery of each phase as the project progresses.

The project is still being refined, so the final cost will depend on the detailed design, planning process and how each phase is delivered.

As the proposals progress, the Council will continue reviewing options to ensure the scheme remains affordable, deliverable and provides long-term value for money.

The Council plans to fund the redevelopment primarily through external borrowing.

The investment is designed to be self-financing over the long term, with borrowing repaid through:

• Rental income from new and existing tenants.
• Increased business rates.
• Additional car parking revenue.
• Increased economic activity generated by a more successful town centre.

The aim is for the redevelopment to pay for itself over time without affecting existing Council services.

Yes. Independent analysis has confirmed that the redevelopment is both financially and economically viable.

The proposals are expected to deliver:

• Long-term financial returns.
• Significant economic and social benefits for the borough.
• A stronger, more sustainable future for Royal Victoria Place.

The Council will continue to review the financial case as the project evolves to ensure the investment remains robust.

Investing now will help secure the long-term future of Royal Victoria Place.

Parts of the shopping centre, particularly Palm Court and Ely Court, are underperforming and require significant investment. Without action, these areas are expected to continue declining, reducing footfall and making it harder to attract new businesses.

By investing now, the Council can create a more attractive and sustainable destination, respond to what local people have asked for, attract new retailers and leisure operators, and strengthen the town centre economy for years to come.

Doing nothing is not a viable option if Royal Victoria Place is to remain competitive and successful.

The redevelopment will deliver lasting economic benefits for Royal Tunbridge Wells and the wider borough.

It is expected to create:

• Around 200 jobs during construction.
• Around 235 permanent jobs once complete.
• £7.7 million in construction-related economic activity.
• £17.8 million of ongoing economic activity every year.

Alongside these benefits, the redevelopment will attract new investment, increase visitor numbers, support local businesses, strengthen the evening economy and help create a more vibrant town centre for residents and visitors alike.

Yes. The redevelopment is expected to generate income that will help repay the Council's investment over time.

This includes rental income from new and existing businesses, as well as increased business rates, higher car parking revenue and growth in the overall value of Royal Victoria Place.

The project has been designed to be a long-term investment that supports both the town centre and the Council's wider financial sustainability.

As the owner of Royal Victoria Place, the Council can take a long-term approach to its future.

Unlike a private developer, the Council can balance financial returns with wider benefits for the community, including creating new jobs, supporting local businesses and improving the town centre.

The Council can also borrow over longer periods and at competitive rates, helping deliver investment that benefits both the town centre and the wider community.

The Council carefully considered refurbishment, but concluded that it would not deliver the level of change needed to secure the long-term future of Royal Victoria Place.

Some areas, particularly Ely Court, require significant investment following an earlier redevelopment scheme that was never completed. Today, parts of the centre cost more to operate than they generate in income and are no longer suited to modern retail and leisure businesses.

Refurbishment alone would not:

• Deliver the boutique cinema that local people have consistently asked for.
• Create the modern mix of retail, leisure and dining needed to attract more visitors.
• Provide the flexible, high-quality spaces that businesses now expect.
• Support the increase in footfall and the stronger evening economy needed to secure the centre's long-term success.

The proposed redevelopment goes beyond improving existing buildings. It will create a more vibrant, sustainable destination that responds to public feedback and helps ensure Royal Victoria Place continues to thrive for years to come.

The Council already owned the freehold of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) and bought the leasehold in 2023 to give it greater control over the centre’s future.

Owning both means the Council can take a long-term approach to improving RVP, investing in its future and helping create a more vibrant town centre that benefits residents, businesses and visitors. It also allows decisions to be made in the long-term interests of Royal Tunbridge Wells, rather than focusing on short-term commercial returns.

Council ownership gives Royal Tunbridge Wells a unique opportunity to shape the future of its town centre.

The investment is helping transform Royal Victoria Place into a more sustainable, vibrant destination with better shopping, leisure and dining opportunities. The aim is to increase footfall, support local businesses, create a stronger evening economy and ensure the centre continues to thrive for years to come.

The Council also expects the investment to generate a financial return over time while delivering wider benefits for the local community.

Royal Victoria Place is managed through a clear governance structure to ensure the Council's investment is carefully overseen and delivers long-term value.

The Council works with specialist asset and development manager RivingtonHark, supported by Council officers and an Investment Advisory Panel made up of councillors from all political parties. The panel meets regularly to review progress and help guide key decisions.

Each year, the Royal Victoria Place Business Plan is also presented to Cabinet, ensuring the investment remains transparent and accountable.

The vision is to create a modern, mixed-use destination that is busy throughout the day and into the evening.

The proposals, shaped by extensive public engagement, will deliver:

• A stronger mix of shops, restaurants, cafés and leisure attractions.
• A more attractive and sustainable shopping centre, including improvements to Palm Court.
• New spaces that encourage visitors to spend more time in the town centre.
• Better public spaces and improved links with the rest of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
• Investment that supports businesses, attracts new brands and increases footfall.
• Continued support for community events and local organisations.

As part of this vision, planning permission for the Palm Court improvements was granted on 24 June 2026, marking an exciting milestone in the redevelopment project.

The separate Market Square proposals will continue to be explored independently, allowing more time for engagement while ensuring they do not delay the wider improvements to Royal Victoria Place.

Since acquiring Royal Victoria Place in 2023, the Council has made significant progress in strengthening the shopping centre.

Achievements include:

• Occupancy increasing from 81% to 94%.
• New retailers investing in the centre.
• Increased visitor numbers.
• Service charge savings being passed directly back to occupiers.
• A growing programme of community events and activities.

These improvements are helping create a stronger foundation for the next phase of investment.

Royal Victoria Place has become a more active community hub. Over the past 12 months, the centre has hosted more than 50 free events, supported over 50 charities and community organisations and helped raise more than £100,000 for charitable causes.