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Wednesday October 11 | 2023
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Tunbridge Wells Borough Council acquires the RVP shopping centre THE FUTURE of Royal Victoria Place (RVP) is in the hands of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) since it struck a deal to acquire the lease from the current owners. The Council has owned the freehold of the town’s shopping centre since it opened in October 1992, but has now acquired the leasehold from current holders British Land, who have owned the site since taking it over from Hermes in 2018. The local authority believes owning both the freehold and lease will give it greater control over RVP’s future, viewing the deal as a “commitment
by the Council to the town centre and its future prosperity”. The cost of the deal, which was given the go-ahead by Full Council on April 26 is not yet public knowledge, but the Council has stated that no money has been borrowed nor have cuts to services been planned in acquiring the lease of the largest retail location in town.
Positive
REGISTER
The news was announced on the TWBC website last Thursday (October 5) at 5pm and reaction so far has been fairly positive. Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark told the Times: “Everyone wants
the RVP to thrive and I wish the Borough Council every success in its ownership. “Clearly, it will be important to be transparent about how much council taxpayers’ money is being spent on the RVP both now and on any works that might be needed during the weeks and months ahead now that the council is responsible for them.” Council Leader Ben Chapelard (Lib Dem), commented on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I’m excited for Tunbridge Wells as TWBC takes control of RVP. We’ve listened to residents & invested in the heart of Continued on page 2
INSIDE: Covid booster jabs available in Borough – page 3