Business is Booming in Tunbridge Wells
A vibrant and key location for business in the South East, Tunbridge Wells is seeing more companies looking to move into the town to establish or expand their brands.
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Its position in the county with easy access to main roads to other towns, as well as its connectivity to London and major airports, makes Tunbridge Wells an ideal location to base a business.
There have been many notable developments in recent years in Tunbridge Wells, such as on the southern border of the town with Pantiles 1887 apartments and mews homes, ideally located on the edge of the iconic Pantiles.
At the top of town, the former site of the Kent & Sussex Hospital has also been developed, becoming Royal Wells Park, and there is much going on at the Industrial Estate, ideally located next to the A21, where you will now find the Knights Wood development and many new industrial sites being created.
Work is also underway on the site of the former ABC cinema at the crossroads of the town – much anticipated. This site will now house retirement apartments, retail units, a restaurant, pool and gym.
Facilities for the town have also been improved including The Amelia building in which opened in 2022 and houses a range of arts, heritage, culture and wellbeing services with the aim becoming recognised as a centre for high quality cultural experiences. It is also the new home for the town’s library.
So with all these improvements going on, it is no wonder many businesses are choosing to make Tunbridge Wells their new home.
With a rich and cultural history, Tunbridge Wells draws visitors from afar, but it also makes for a charming home for workers and their families, offering a whole host of options for entertainment including dining out, leisure facilities, theatres such as Trinity and The Assembly Hall, music at The Forum and on select dates on The Pantiles, shopping facilities at Royal Victoria Place and the surrounding area and many top name stores located on the Longfield Road Industrial estate.
Education is also a draw for the town with numerous highly-ranked schools in the area for workers looking to move to their families to the town, plus being located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tunbridge Wells makes a picturesque destination to both live and work.
New names coming to town
Here we round up a selection of both well-established and new names looking to bring their skills and services to residents and reap the benefits of being located in the vibrant town of Tunbridge Wells.
Mayo Wynne Baxter
In September this year Mayo Wynne Baxter opened a new office at Lonsdale Gate in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. Specialist solicitors, the firm is very community focused and offers a variety of legal services including children and family law, private client, property and conveyancing, employment advice, commercial litigation and business and commercial law.
They took this move into Tunbridge Wells in order to be able to work more closely with clients both in Kent and Sussex as well as the wider area. Building on their strong reputation in Sussex, they chose to expand into the town due to its thriving nature and transport links to London and the wider South East.
They also have offices in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Lewes, London, Peacehaven, Seaford and Storrington.
Aston Martin
Marshall Motor Group sells new and used vans, cars and motorcycles for a variety of major brands, including the iconic Aston Martin. Aston Martin Sevenoaks relocated to Dowding Way in Tunbridge Wells at the end of last month, bringing their sales, services and parts department under one roof. The purpose-built space offers a new, larger facility that is able to provide increased services. Marc Sack, Head of Business, Aston Martin Tunbridge Wells said: “Our move to Tunbridge Wells marks an exciting new chapter for Aston Martin. We're proud to bring our clients a purpose-built space that reflects the elegance and innovation of the brand."
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Primark
Primark’s much-anticipated move into Tunbridge Wells will see its new store being located in Royal Victoria Place shopping centre at the top of the town centre. Coming this winter, the international clothing retailer will offer residents and visitors alike affordable fashion, homeware and beauty products and is set to be a big draw for people to the town. 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 in the town.
The Gym Group
Kingstanding Retail Park has seen the addition of a new business to its fold with the arrival of The Gym Group. This 24/7 gym offers no-contract memberships, a wide selection of classes and free on-site car parking. It has easy access to both Tunbridge Wells town centre as well as Tonbridge town centre, aiming to draw people from around the county.
Ashdown Travel
Last month saw Ashdown Travel move into Tunbridge Wells, adding to its offices located in Sevenoaks and Oxted. The independent travel agency has taken over the former Kitsch site at the top of the High Street in town. Ashdown Travel help to create bespoke holidays and the move to the town offers residents the chance to hear first hand experiences from their passionate team where you can pop in for a chat and a coffee to discuss your next adventure.
PaintnGo
PaintnGo, a vibrant new creative leisure experience and immersive wall painting venue, will be opening in town later this month. It will offer a space where people from the ages of three to 103 can have fun painting, creating and socialising. Located in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, PaintnGo is the ultimate creative playground, where people of all ages and backgrounds can unleash their imagination on giant, washable walls without any pressure or need for previous artistic talent. Customers can paint on the wall with traditional brushes or, if they wish, with their hands, feet, sponges, brooms – really anything you can think of.
PaintnGo is more than just a place to paint; the business’ mission is to be a hub for creative connection and community well-being through its groundbreaking BIG SPLASH community programme. The aim is to foster a stronger sense of community and provide a therapeutic and joyful outlet for the beneficiaries of local charities, community groups, and schools across West Kent.
Laser Quest
Laser Quest, the UK’s most immersive laser-tag experience, made its long-awaited return to Tunbridge Wells this month, opening in the former Hop House pub at Knights Park Leisure Centre, next to Hollywood Bowl and the Odeon cinema. The venue features Laser Quest as well as a new laser maze attraction Mission Laser, arcade games and three purpose-built party rooms. The new site has been brought to the town by James Ford, a lifelong Tunbridge Wells resident and father, in partnership with Jam Motafram and the Laser Quest national franchise team.
The venue is designed for families with young children, tweens and teens, birthday party planners, young people and local businesses looking for unique team-building experiences and has created a number of new local jobs. Laser Quest Tunbridge Wells is suitable for children aged six and over with group bookings of up to 30 people available.
VR Racer
Located in Ely Court in Royal Victoria Place is VR Racer. The Ultimate VR Racing arcade experience is proving a very popular addition to town. Here you can experience high-speed racing with an elite line-up of cars in a social atmosphere. The cutting-edge racing rigs have link play with up to eight racers and there are three game modes – Academy Racing, GT Racing or Formula VR.
Royal Victoria Place has also seen some exciting new additions, with Jamaica Blue offering the very best coffee and contemporary café dishes with a twist, Kochi スフレ a cosy café providing a neighbourhood destination for delightful Japanese desserts, specialising in light, fluffy souffle pancakes, Dulce's Patisserie which also has a shop in Sevenoaks is set to open, and Oliver Bonas is set to move to a much larger unit within the centre.
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.
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