Tunbridge Wells is Blooming
We take a look at the latest developments and new business openings in Tunbridge Wells – as well as plans for the future of the historic spa town in Kent.
Kindly sponsored by Tunbridge Wells BID.
Spring is here and Tunbridge Wells indeed has a spring in its step as businesses and business opportunities continue to grow in the town.
Recent months have seen new companies move into the area and others expand as they look to take advantage of what the town has to offer.
A historic spa town
Steeped in history, Royal Tunbridge Wells has the distinction of being one of the few towns in England to be given a royal title. The town itself was born in the 17th century when, looking to improve his health by getting some country air in the local area, King James I’s courtier Dudley Lord North came across the Chalybeate spring. Having seen his health improve following drinking the water, he believed that it had healing properties and convinced his friends to visit and try for themselves – which then saw the area established as a spa retreat.
But it was not until the 1680s that the town really began to form with the construction of The Pantiles and from there it went on, in 1889, to gain the status of being a borough. It was in 1909 that the town was named ‘royal’ by King Edward VII because of his mother Queen Victoria's patronage of the spa.
Alongside the spring, the town is also well known for its crops of sandstone rocks – you can take a stroll at High Rocks, Harrison Rocks, across the town’s common or a little further afield at Eridge Rocks on the edge of town.
As well as having a rich history, there have been many new developments in Tunbridge Wells, most notably the apartments you pass as you enter the town from the south. Pantiles 1887 is made up of two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom mews homes ideally located on the edge of the iconic Pantiles just a five-minute walk from the train station.
The former site of the Kent & Sussex Hospital has also been developed, becoming Royal Wells Park, a sought-after neighbourhood at the top of town. And the Knights Wood development on the edge of Tunbridge Wells saw all its homes reserved highlighting the popularity of the town.
The Town Centre
There’s a lot happening right in the centre of Tunbridge Wells itself at Royal Victoria Place shopping centre as new brands have recently moved in. Primark’s much-anticipated move into the town saw them take a two-floor unit in the centre. The international clothing retailer offers residents and visitors alike affordable fashion, homeware and beauty products. With hundreds of stores across Europe and the US it is great news for the town to see this name added to the list of chain stores and independent retailers that we already have in the town.
Hot on its heels, more units have been filled – with Dulce’s Patisserie, an award-winning independent patisserie renowned for its handmade macarons, cakes and patisserie, taking up residence in one of them.
A popular Sevenoaks favourite led by husband-and-wife team Alain and Dulce, they have built a reputation for their exceptional quality of cakes and patisseries. “We are very excited to bring our food and baking to Tunbridge Wells,” said Dulce, founder of Dulce’s Patisserie. “Our goal has always been to create a warm and welcoming space where young and old can enjoy our handmade treats together. We believe that good food brings people together and we can’t wait to share our creations to Tunbridge Wells.”
Secondly, Lovisa opened its doors in the centre earlier this year and is a brand that was born out of a passion for offering fashionable jewellery at affordable prices. Their creative team draws inspiration from couture runways and the latest street trends from around the world and provides their customers with unique, stylish products. As many as 150 new models are added to their stores every week, so there is something for everyone.
Nicky Blanchard, Centre Manager at Royal Victoria Place, said: “We are thrilled to welcome more exciting new retailers to Royal Victoria Place. RVP has certainly entered a new era and I’m so pleased to be a part of it. Last year was a landmark year for the centre with the arrival of Primark and there is a renewed energy to the centre which our retailers are benefiting from.”
On The Pantiles
There’s also lots happening at the bottom of town on the Pantiles. Independent family owned and run business Mad Dog Brewery has opened a tap room where you can “explore a diverse range of beer styles…from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and refreshing lagers”. Their beer is vegan and the core range is also certified as gluten free. While the main brewery is based in Cardiff, they also have tap rooms in Brighton, Cheltenham and now right here in Tunbridge Wells.
The pre-loved fashion boutique Second Chapter has also moved into The Pantiles offering beautifully curated, pre-loved clothing and accessories. Shoppers can browse the carefully chosen pieces, each with a story and a second life to give. Or if you are looking to rehome some of your own items, pop in there for a chat or make an appointment.
And to add to this mix of new shops Senza Fondeli, an American/Italian all-day restaurant is set to open any day now. A new offering from the team behind Senza Fondo UK and The Cocktail Social, the venture will combine coffee and pastries in the morning, sandwiches and salads to take away in the afternoon and then a cocktail bar in the evening.
As you move further up through town, on London Road you will now find The Wild Beast Art Haus and Consultancy, where you can “immerse yourself in a considered collection of contemporary art that speaks to the senses and the soul”. Curating and procuring art for private and corporate clients, The Wild Beast represents boundary-pushing UK and international artists.
On the edge of town
On the other side of town there have also been further changes this year with Signature Clinic entering into a strategic clinical partnership with CES Medical, under which patients will undergo cosmetic surgery at CES Medical’s Tunbridge Wells facility. The agreement enables patients in the South East to access Signature Clinic’s network, with surgery performed under CES Medical’s established clinical governance framework. As part of the collaboration, CES Medical will work alongside Signature Clinic’s wider clinical network, facilitating referral opportunities across multiple UK regions.
For those looking to put a spring in their step, a new centre for a sport gaining increasing popularity has come to town. Padel is an indoor racket sport, often described as a mix of squash and tennis, and if it is something you would like to give a go PadelHub has opened a centre in High Brooms offering six top-quality courts, expert coaching and events, while it also benefits from a shop and bar.
Events Coming Up in Tunbridge Wells
20th June 2026: Tunbridge Wells Record Fair
Head to Kings Charles the Martyr, 3 Warwick Park, where there will be 1,000s of vinyl records and CDs for sale from the best dealers in the south east – from sought-after rarities to affordable bargains for all music-lovers.
24th June 2026: Scrambled Leggs Run Club
Join this fantastic run club at 7pm at Fuggles Beer Cafe, 28 Grosvenor Road, run by qualified coaches, where you can enjoy a friendly 5k run for all abilities, meet some new people and have a little social after.
27th June 2026: Everywhere at Once FEST 2026
Everywhere at Once FEST will be taking place at The Forum from 12noon, part of the UK’s biggest festival, with 500 plus other grassroots venues hosting more than 1,200 gigs all at the same time. Experience a diverse, curated programme of live music.
11th & 12th July 2026: RTW Fanzone
RTW Business Improvement District has announced that the RTW Fanzone is back for 2026, where you can enjoy all the excitement of the Wimbledon Finals Weekend on the big screen in Calverley Grounds. Take your friends and family and make a weekend of it, watching all the live action at “The Royal Ridge” from 11am on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July on the huge 6m x 3.5m screen. There will be some deck chair seating available on a first come, first served basis, and you are welcome to bring your own chairs or rugs. There will be an area for people on rugs to the front of the seated area, and some seating will be on the slope of The Royal Ridge to give everyone a good view of the screen.
28th-31st August 2026: Local & Live
Local & Live festival is a four-day celebration of the best live music and culture in the town and beyond taking place over the August Bank Holiday at Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells – as well as other venues including Tunbridge Wells Forum, Trinity Theatre, The Grey Lady, The Sussex Arms and more to be announced. An annual highlight in the regional events calendar, the festival gives grassroots artists their biggest show of the year. In 2019, Local & Live became a charity with a remit to support, encourage and nurture local music and culture.
Looking further ahead
The old ABC cinema site located on the crossroads in the centre of town will finally spring into new life at the end of this year, but already the change in the location can be seen as the building takes shape, providing a new look for the town’s site. Paramount Place offers purpose-built retirement living with a whole host of amenities including a state-of-the-art wellbeing suite with hydrotherapy pool, spa and treatment rooms, gym and fitness classes, including Pilates and more, a clubhouse with café, bar and restaurant, resident-led clubs and groups and a private multi-function room for gatherings and events.
Groombridge Place, the renowned estate on the edge of Tunbridge Wells that has long been a popular tourist attraction and was set to become the 10th PIG venue, has recently been sold after they decided to accept a private offer saying the new buyer is looking to sensitively enhance and invest in the iconic estate.
There are also changes anticipated in the hotel industry in the centre of town as The Tunbridge Wells Hotel on the Pantiles has been put up for sale at around £2.7million. The Georgian hotel offers guests comfortable accommodation, as well as inviting both those staying with them and visitors the chance to dine in the sumptuous Eating House as well as the opportunity to enjoy music on the Pantiles in the summer months.
For those looking for a little adventure or a way to keep the kids entertained, AirHop Adventure and Trampoline Park is set to open in the town this summer. The family-friendly leisure experience will feature trampolines, foam pits, an adventure park and more, so whether you are just looking to bounce off a bit of energy or enjoy an all out party this may be the place for you.
Following two years of work between the council and designers, Royal Victoria Place held its latest round of engagements with the public last month on updated designs for a new cinema and improved retail, leisure and community facilities at the centre. The updated designs that were on view included a boutique cinema and new leisure space at Ely Court, a revitalised Palm Court, featuring improved retail, food and beverage and a welcoming community leisure space. Public events were held between 11th and 23rd March with more than 600 people attending. Some 215 feedback forms were submitted, and more than 70% of respondents showed support for the designs, highlighting the importance in revitalising the centre. The town centre homes at Market Square will now progress as a separate phase. To see the project team presenting the latest exhibition boards, you can visit the website at rvpfuture.com
With these being just some of the latest changes taking place in Tunbridge Wells, the future for the town looks set to be full of excitement and achievement – and spring is just the start of this blooming growth.
RTW Business Improvement District (BID)
Royal Tunbridge Wells Together CIC is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the RTW Business Improvement District (BID). It is funded by, and represents, businesses in RTW town centre. The BID is a defined area of RTW town centre. Businesses within this footprint (above a minimum threshold) contribute an annual levy based on the rateable value of their premises. RTW Together then manages these funds to carry out projects that support, promote and enhance businesses and the local town environment around them.
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