Times of Tunbridge Wells 10th July 2019

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Trinity Theatre Club n’s presents Alan Ackybour Taking Steps

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A RED HOT LITTLE NUMBER

Pillow fight

Retailers say town centre improvements will risk businesses By Robert Forrester TRADERS believe the council’s development of Tunbridge Wells town centre could put an end to their businesses.

CULTURAL CELEBRATION: Local group Sahrudaya brought a touch of Keralan the weekend through music and dance, to help culture and heritage to celebrate the 14th annual Calverley Grounds over Tunbridge Wells Mela festival. See also Page 6

Keeping doors open costs taxpayers £500at theatre ,000 a year

By

Richard Williams Assembly Hall is past its sell by date In addition to the and cannot THE current subsidy of the Assembly ductions. support money making pro- keep the theatre cost of the subsidy to Hall Theatre – which going, the council has Tunbridge Wells long argued that the Assembly Those against the new Borough Council has labelled Hall Thetheatre may atre, which not ‘fit for argue that was built purpose’ – has almost the figures show there doubled to nearly is no and was originally in the late 1930s £500,000. intended to be a dancehall, requires an The council originally extensive over‘This shows doubling budgeted to haul at a cost of £31million of spend £250,540 to to bring it up keep the theatre the theatre costs to what to modern standards. going in the financial year of 2018/2019. If the current subsidy In fact taxpayers have the council has said’ continues, and had to spend the council does close to twice that. decide to renovate the Liberal Democrat Leader existing Assembly Hall, Ben Chapelard According to recent figures the cost to taxseen by the payers of the Crescent Times, the subsidy Road-based theafor the theatre widespread tre could exceed £40million reached £479,276 to April audience support for over the this year, with larger a next two decades. venue. poor audience numbers being blamed. Conversely, the council The council originally The fate of the theatre argues that the predicted more proposed hangs in the than new theatre on the edge £2million would be generated balance with arguments of for and against ticket by Calverley Grounds sales for performances spending £90million would cost an almost in the last identical on a new amount to build. and civic complex in Calverley theatre financial year, but bookings were down Grounds. nearly 20 And while the new per cent on their estimate Those in favour of the theatre would new theatre are sales generating just £1.6million with require an increase in the current budgnow likely to argue the figures show the financial for the year — a shortfall of £341,596. Continued on page 4

Shops along Monson Road say plans to restrict traffic in the area will reduce trade and could see them close. This week the top of town has been closed at the traffi c lights crossroads with Calverley Road Crescent Road so the council and can complete its £1.3million Public Realm plans, which the council say will increase footfall and improve the look of the area. The council has asked traders to be patient as the works continue to convert the area outside the town hall and along Monson Road into a semi-pedestrianised street, which will see cars banned during the day.

Public Square The Borough Council [TWBC] say the work is necessary to improve the look of the town centre and make it a safer and more pleasant place for pedestrians. They also claim the improvements will create a ‘sense of a public square’ for use on civic occasions like Remembrance Sunday. However, traders on Monson Road argue the council’s Public Realm plans will lead to a downturn in business. Sue Luck, who represents a group of shop owners along Monson Road and is the current owner of M. Saltmarsh Artists’ Materials, claims the changes will ‘finish the business’. She said: “The big issue is passing trade. When people drive past they

Continued on page 4

HEVER’S FESTIVAL OF ENDURANCE

ADVERTISING FEATURE

INSIDE

MELA MAGIC

Cultural diversity festival is another huge success page 6

KING’S MEADOW WILL TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE Something rather unique is being created in Kent and it could be the start of an altogether better way of living for you

LEGAL ACTION

Gavin Tyler steers Cripps in the right direction page 10

POPULAR PUB CLOSES

What’s the future for Tunbridge Wells Bar & Grill page 5

Show Home Open Weekend 12 – 14th July at King’s Meadow Residential Park, Romney Street, Sevenoaks, TN15 6XW

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

See Glyndebourne’s production of the Barber of Seville page 42

Contact Us on FREE PHONE 0800 644 4499 Or by email info@serenityparks.co.uk serenityparks.co.uk

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