Viewpoint

SPRING 2018

VIEWPOINT

FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE OF OUR TOWN WITH TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL

START-UP SUCCESS

CULTURE CLUB

We talk to the town’s artistic influencers

Why Tunbridge Wells is the ideal place to launch a business

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Councillor Tracy Moore on the Civic Development plans

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Celebrating our reputation as the culinary hot spot of the South East

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME The proposed new Civic Development in Calverley Grounds is just one of many exciting development projects

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G Wells wrote “Tunbridge Wells is Tunbridge Wells, and there is nothing really like it upon our planet.” He may have been teasing our town – he wouldn’t be the first – but residents, workers and visitors to Tunbridge Wells all agree that we are fortunate to be in one of the best places in Britain. So it is appropriate that this new publication is celebratory – pointing up all that Tunbridge Wells has to offer. Despite the source of the town’s foundations, we started not so much as a place of healing but of festivity. The waters’ medicinal qualities were as disputed then as they are now. Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary of his wife “She looks the worst that I ever did see her in my life. It seems that drinking of the water at Tunbridge did almost kill her.” It wasn’t long before people came for the company, the entertainment, the setting and the traders – much as they do today. A distinguished visitor in 1700 wrote “I am enchanted with the medley of different characters. Tunbridge seems the very Parliament of the world, where every country and every rank has its representative.” We are a lively place – people coming from far and wide to enjoy our shops, our restaurants, our cultural scene, all in the context of a place of beautiful buildings with the glorious countryside sweeping in to the very centre of the town. Take the arts. Whether it is the Forum, Trinity, the Assembly Hall theatre or smaller venues like Scallywags and the Grey Lady, there is a performance to everyone’s tastes.

We have become a festival town – summer jazz nights on The Pantiles, Paul Dunton’s Local & Live cavalcade of local artists and the Forum’s Unfest, the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival have all given us memories to cherish. We are the food and drink capital of West Kent, with a huge and ever-changing variety of restaurants and cafés, pubs and bars for all tastes. Whether it is local produce grown – or brewed – a few miles away, to some of the best restaurants in this area, there’s no shortage of choice. Our shops – from farm stores and artisan bakers to fashion boutiques and department stores (two in Tunbridge Wells and another in Paddock Wood) – attract visitors from far and wide. Camden Road and St John’s always have something new and novel, worth discovery. Not many towns can boast a jeweller to the Queen in G Collins and Sons. Contrary to the old myth of the retired colonels, we are a young town, teeming with young families serviced by a range of really good schools – all ability, grammar, church and independent. We have big, prestigious employers and small firms, many tucked away from view but exporting to all over the world. Businesses like the fact that the town is continually developing and, as a result, are investing in the town. And we have that fantastic natural environment all around us, whether in the parks or the countryside – the Parkrun in Dunorlan is the perfect, invigorating way to start the weekend at 9am every Saturday. Above all of this, it is the people of Tunbridge Wells that make it as unique as HG Wells said. Creative, energetic, often of strong opinions, but with such a sense of community. There’s nowhere like it! I hope you enjoy reading the first issue of Viewpoint.

The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

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WELCOME

INTRODUCTION

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WELCOME

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ver the next five years the Tunbridge Wells we know and love is set to change dramatically with over £475million of planned new investment scheduled to transform our historic town into one that’s fit for the future. Viewpoint is a new magazine, published in association with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and the publishers of the Times of Tunbridge Wells, which aims to keep you informed of these important developments and other key issues such as areas where further investment is happening over the coming months. We’ll also shine a spotlight on other trending topics including the town’s current retail scene as well as its commitment to attracting new businesses and bolstering tourism. And of course we’ll be celebrating all that Tunbridge Wells has to offer: from excellent education establishments and a thriving arts scene to its numerous charming historical places of interest and great outdoor spaces to visit. We hope you enjoy reading our inaugural issue of Viewpoint. Here’s what you can find and where ...

Eileen Leahy

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Celebrating our rich history To consider Tunbridge Wells’ future you have to first look to its past

Designs on the future We take a look at the raft of exciting developments happening Why choose Tunbridge Wells Dr Laurence Maiden tells Viewpoint why he chose Tunbridge Wells over London

View from the top Councillor Tracy Moore explains the benefits the £90million Civic Complex will bring to the town

Courting the creatives Two leading successful independent business entrepreneurs explain why they chose to invest in Tunbridge Wells The great outdoors Celebrating all the appealing attractions our area has to offer

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Viewpoint Editor

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CONTENTS

VIEWPOINT ISSUE 1

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PUBLISHED BY

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The story of Tunbridge Wells is a unique and fascinating one says Ian Beavis, Research Curator at the Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery. Read on to discover more about the town’s roots, and how they helped shape its future

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n 1606 a chance discovery of a spring on a sparsely populated Wealden heath led to Royal Tunbridge Wells growing to become Britain’s earliest holiday resort. It was the young courtier Dudley, Lord North, who first spread the word that the chalybeate – or iron-bearing – spring had medicinal properties. It was believed to cure almost all known ills, and over the years a steady stream of celebrities, including members of the royal family, came to ‘take the waters’. Charles II came on several occasions, his court camping out on the open Common. By the end of the 1600s, a small ‘frontier town’ had sprung up on the border of two counties and three parishes. It was created by a community of enterprising landowners, farmers and trades people, who set up a do-it-yourself local government outside the

First train to Tunbridge Wells - The Powder Mill Valley Viaduct

Old Trinity

established structures of church and state. Early Tunbridge Wells included perhaps the original pedestrian precinct – the famous colonnade which became known as The Pantiles. Tunbridge Wells reached the peak of its popularity as a health and holiday resort in the mid-1700s. This was thanks to the organisational and marketing skills of Richard ‘Beau’ Nash. Already famous as a leader of fashion at Bath, Nash made Tunbridge Wells a magnet for fashionable society. By the early 1800s Tunbridge Wells was at a crossroads in its development. Sea-bathing was the new health craze, and Tunbridge Wells needed to reinvent itself as a place to live and work as well as to visit. London businessman and Kent resident John Ward helped Tunbridge Wells to make that transition. He brought in the fashionable young architect Decimus Burton to design

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A rich and royal history

HISTORY

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HISTORY

EXPLORE

General view of the proposed Calverley Terrace and Parade

as political thinking. The town held Britain’s first motor show, launched the country’s first municipal telephone system, and was regarded by Bernard Shaw as a splendid example of ‘municipal socialism’ with its publicly owned electricity and water services. In the early 1900s Tunbridge Wells was a focal point for the campaign for women’s suffrage: local campaigners Amelia Scott and Susan Power became the town’s first women councillors. King Edward VII granted Tunbridge Wells the title Royal in 1909, in recognition of its links with the royal family over three centuries. Tunbridge Wells today takes equal pride in its rich heritage, which is appreciated both by its residents and by the many visitors who still come to enjoy its unique attractions.

On foot is the best way to explore the town and you can see plenty by browsing around the historical areas yourself but there are also organised walking tours which will give you a proper account of Tunbridge Wells’ rich and intricate history. Dotted around the villages surrounding the town are many other areas of historical and aesthetic interest including grand castles, parks and nature reserves. According to the tourist office visitors will be able to find more stately homes than in any other part of the United Kingdom. If you want to give your legs a break then you can appreciate Tunbridge Wells’ history and picturesque countryside courtesy of the Spa Valley Railway. The heritage railway is within walking distance of The Pantiles and operates steam and heritage diesel trains at weekends and school holidays with special events throughout the year. There are lots of other outdoor activities available, such as fishing, golf and cycling. Discover the Seven Wonders of the Weald - seven fascinating places within a short drive of each other. Go to www.visittunbridgewells.com to find out more about discovering the town’s heritage tours.

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a whole new town on top of Mount Pleasant hill. Burton’s Calverley New Town was the starting point of the town centre that we know today. Many people were keen to make it their home, encouraged by the example of the future Queen Victoria who spent several childhood holidays here. Local business and professional people worked with John Ward to promote an Act of Parliament which gave the town its first formal local government in 1835. The coming of the railway in 1845 brought a second building boom, ensuring that Tunbridge Wells was well placed to meet the challenges of the Victorian era. Victorian Tunbridge Wells gained a reputation as a ‘progressive’ place fostering innovation in science and technology as well

HOW TO EXPERIENCE YESTERYEAR TUNBRIDGE WELLS TODAY…

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ADVERTORIAL

CREATING THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS OF TOMORROW In order to stay somewhere attractive to live, work and socialise – and also entice visitors to – Tunbridge Wells has had to reconsider its blueprint for the future, therefore putting in a place a number of initiatives. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council tells Viewpoint all about its exciting plans

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR TUNBRIDGE WELLS

As the fastest growing part of the UK economy, the Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) sector offers unparalleled opportunities for growth. Currently worth £91.8bn Gross Value Added (GVA), the creative sector also has huge intrinsic and social value. Identified in the Industrial Strategy White Paper as a priority, the creative industries will continue to have a significant role to play in forming the bedrock of Britain’s industrial future. In 2017, a study revealed that 11 per cent of businesses in the borough were classified as creative industries. Tunbridge Wells has a proliferation of arts and media-focused organisations, as well as a BBC presence. The majority of businesses in the sector are Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) and there is an increasing number of freelancers working in the area. These businesses are located in both the urban and rural areas of the borough. In recognition of the importance of the creative businesses within the local economy, in 2012 Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council commissioned a study to develop a framework for support of the sector. One of the key recommendations was to develop a dedicated creative workspace hub, a place for creatives to come together, connect, collaborate and grow their businesses. The result was The House (pictured), a partnership project between TWBC, Kent County Council and Workspace Collaborations Limited. The House is located at 29-31 Monson Road (behind ASK) and is a property owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. Together with KCC, refurbishment of the property (formerly the Citizens Advice Bureau), was undertaken and it now provides workspace for creative businesses in the town, ranging from small businesses to freelancers. Funding from Kent County Council has also supported a 1-2-1 mentoring/coaching programme and a range of seminars and networking events for the wider creative sector in the borough. The favourite format for events is now ‘Lightening Talks’ – short and on discrete topics of interest to local creative businesses e.g. GDPR. There are 36 events planned for 2018. More information about The House can be found on their website and social media at www.thehousetunbridgewells.co.uk

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The Government’s recently published Industrial Strategy ‘Building a Britain fit for the future’ says that: “Strong local economies around the world tend to have some key attributes. They have a good supply of skilled labour; they are well connected and have land available for homes, offices and factories; and they have rich innovation ecosystems, often built around a university. They have an attractive cultural environment.” Tunbridge Wells has many of these attributes but also faces some challenges. The Council is preparing an Economic Development Strategy that seeks to work with partners, including local businesses to address these challenges and also to seize new opportunities to grow the economy as they arise in the future. The strategy will provide a work plan for the Economic Development Team, other teams across the Council and our partners, it will help to prioritise our limited staffing and financial resources and provide a basis for bidding for funding when opportunities become available.

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HOUSE RULES

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FORGING LONG LASTING LINKS

The Council is an active member of the West Kent Partnership. Working with its neighbours, Tonbridge & Malling Borough and Sevenoaks District Councils, as well as other organisations and businesses, the partnership seeks to sustain West Kent as a key location for business success and growth and ensure that our population has access to quality jobs and skills development opportunities. The West Kent Partnership has recently secured funding from the Careers & Enterprise Company which it, and The Hadlow Group, will match to deliver The West Kent Enterprise Adviser Network to inspire and prepare young people for the world of work. The purpose of this initiative is to create powerful, lasting connections between local businesses and identified schools. On the one hand it will address the skills needs of our local economy but equally important is the potential to improve outcomes and provide greater opportunities for our young people – the workforce of the future. The West Kent Enterprise Adviser Network will provide strategic input from business to schools and facilitate the development of effective employer engagement plans. Essentially, Advisers are the catalysts acting as a mentor to help schools raise student aspirations. This is an opportunity for business people to help connect schools to local businesses, develop leadership skills and support the local community.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER JOBS FAIRS

TALK TO US

The West Kent Partnership ran two successful jobs fairs last year in partnership with Jobcentreplus:

We are always keen to talk to local businesses. You can hear from us in a number of ways:

■ Tonbridge (March 2017): 330 attendees and 25 businesses. ■ Tunbridge Wells (September 2017): 330 attendees (at least) and 31 businesses. At both events seminars were held to provide information to jobseekers e.g. about job searches, CV writing and interview skills. These were all well attended. For more information on this year’s job fairs please visit

■ #TWBiz quarterly newsletter contacts 1,022 subscribers ■ High quality and up-to-date information for business continues to be provided on the TWBC website Business pages e.g. events, funding opportunities, news at: www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/ business/enterprise -and-regeneration/ support-and-advice

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www.visittunbridgewells.com

■ #TWBiz Twitter for Business 2,743 followers

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LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

A rich and much revered history, not to mention excellent location, have been key to the economic, social and cultural success of our town but Tunbridge Wells doesn’t have plans to rest in the past…

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unbridge Wells is undergoing a revolution of somewhat. Such is its appeal as a charming, cultural and excellent commuter destination it is having to cope with more people wanting to move here for a taste of the good life. Given the amount of steady development and investment it’s currently undergoing Tunbridge Wells wants to remain as relevant tomorrow as it is today. A formidable education offering in the independent, selective and state sectors, reasonable property prices and favourable setting make it an obvious and ideal place to move to. And over the past two decades the town has grown immeasurably due to a number of key factors including many couples and young families

moving down from the capital and businesses setting up here thanks to competitive rates and impressive rail and road links. In addition to all of this is the proposed new civic complex which will see a 1200 seater theatre and arts centre being built in the centre of Tunbridge Wells welcoming bigger and better shows and as a result a lot more visitors to the town. A spokesperson for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council told Viewpoint: “Royal Tunbridge Wells is turning a corner. Investing now in the future prosperity of the town avoids the economic risk of standing still.” Here we showcase just some of the main developments that are poised to make Tunbridge Wells a powerhouse of not only Kent but the South East, too...

THE CIVIC DEVELOPMENT In 2014 the Council adopted a cultural strategy with an ambitious ten-year vision ‘to grow our role as the cultural centre of the Kent and Sussex High Weald, so that by 2024 the Borough of Tunbridge Wells is nationally recognised for its vibrant cultural provision’. This has resulted in plans for a £90million building which includes a new borough council office, civic suite, theatre and office space to rent located on the site of the Great Hall Car Park adjacent to Calverley Grounds. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council says: “This plan will deliver around £14million of additional benefit to the local economy and much needed office space for new or existing businesses. Two-thirds of the new office space will be for businesses to rent.”

THE SOUTHBOROUGH CULTURAL HUB

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A new development containing a 350 seat theatre, library, café, retail units, medical centre, sports pavilion and offices. The scheme will comprise of 4,055 square metres of floorspace and also see the Yew Tree car park to the rear of the site extended. The existing library in Yew Tree Road is earmarked for housing in the borough council’s local plan.

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THE FUTURE

UNION HOUSE

THE TW CULTURAL HUB

THE BELVEDERE

Planning consent has been granted to Altitude UK for an £80million scheme to include shops, restaurants, an Everyman boutique cinema and at least 99 residential flats on the former cinema site. Further investment in the cultural offer seeks to ensure the town remains prosperous in the future. Altitude UK submitted plans for the development, featuring either an additional 10 apartments or medical centre as well as 60,000 sq ft of retail space on July 7 2017 and building work is estimated to begin in early 2019 and last approximately two and a half years.

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Construction of a £13million Heritage, Cultural and Learning Hub is scheduled to start next January. The scheme which has been awarded funding by Arts Council England will see the town’s library, museum, art gallery and Adult Education Centre united in a redesigned single unit to make a more efficient use of space. A special feature of the new design is a Tunbridge Wells Experience room, which will incorporate a tourist information desk. There will also be an education suite. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council hopes the hub, which flanks the Town Hall, will become the ‘heart of the community’ and allow the museum’s 77,000 items to be on display.

Work is already underway on the site of the Union House at the southern end of The Pantiles, the Georgian Colonnade made famous by the Chalybeate Spring from which Tunbridge Wells took its name. This Dandara development will replace a dated 1960s building and is expected to become an integrative part of The Pantiles with residential accommodation totalling 127 apartments, significant new community space in the Pump Room and new retail units. A spokesman for Dandara said the developer was ‘delighted’ by the decision to build, adding: “The redevelopment is of the highest architectural quality, endorsed by Historic England, and will replace a building that is overbearing and unwelcoming with a scheme that integrates seamlessly with The Pantiles. “We are confident that our redevelopment of Union House will also act as a catalyst for further regeneration around The Pantiles area as well as bringing forward much needed housing. We hope to start the redevelopment of Union House as soon as possible and bring forward a building that is unmistakably ‘of Tunbridge Wells’ and one that we can all be proud of.”

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NEW TUNBRIDGE WELLS RESIDENT CASE STUDY

PERSONALLY SPEAKING Dr Laurence Maiden reveals why he decided to invest in one of the town’s smart new developments designed to enhance living and working in Tunbridge Wells

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needed to be something special to tempt me away from the capital.” Royal Wells Park is located on the site of the former Kent & Sussex Hospital, where Dr Maiden worked until the hospital relocated in 2011. The transformation of the site and this longstanding personal connection provided an added draw for the scheme. “The site’s former life as Kent & Sussex Hospital - somewhere I used to work – was an additional attraction for Royal Wells Park. I love what Berkeley Homes are doing to redevelop the site, especially given its medical heritage. It’s somewhere that holds many memories. Now, when I walk through the site I can identify where the different areas of the hospital used to be. My own apartment is close to the old A&E department.” A growing number of buyers are also placing increasing importance on the people behind the home, not just the development itself. Already the owner of other properties in Berkeley Homes developments, Dr Maiden was familiar with the company’s high standards of quality and design. “The first time I visited Royal Wells Park, I found the plans for the site and how the finished scheme would look to be very impressive. I already trusted the Berkeley Homes brand and reputation, so knew the

level of quality and style I’d be getting. I also own two other properties in Berkeley Homes developments in London, and although I prefer new builds to period properties, I wouldn’t have the confidence to buy one off-plan if it wasn’t Berkeley Homes. “The clean lines and freshness of the properties really appealed, as did the peace of mind and security of a new build, and having a choice in finishes and style is also a plus. I wanted somewhere low maintenance, but also a place to entertain: my apartment features a 50 ft. corridor through from the entrance to the living and dining area, as well as a balcony and patio, so ticks all the boxes for me. “When I started my property search, Royal Wells Park was on my radar from quite early on. Being a Berkeley Homes development, combined with its history as a hospital, really piqued my interest and ultimately won out against the other properties I visited. “Although I previously spent far more time in London, I’m now based in Tunbridge Wells almost full-time as I love the property so much. On top of the far easier commute, having the town centre on my doorstep means I still feel in the middle of everything.”

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r Laurence Maiden is a consultant gastroenterologist and owns a three-bedroom apartment at Royal Wells Park, a prestigious new development right in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. Originally from Dorset, Dr Maiden has spent the last 16 years living in London. Since 2007, he has been based in Tunbridge Wells for work, and had been splitting his time between nearby Sevenoaks during the week and London at the weekend. Dr Maiden was looking for a home which best fitted his work at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital, as well as somewhere with excellent amenities, restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene. The position of Royal Wells Park just off Mount Ephraim and a short walk from the town centre, as well as its proximity to the hospital, proved ideal. “The top criteria in my property search was location: I needed somewhere close to my work at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. Having spent the last 16 years predominantly living in London, I knew it

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ART & CULTURE

TH E B E N E FITS OF B UYI NG A N EW HOM E

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YOU GET A GUARANTEE These are usually the Buildmark

by the National House Building

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NO CHAIN EQUALS A BIG GAIN Unlike older properties you

won’t have to get caught up in

Council (NHBC) which is a ten

the stress of a long chain which

year warranty and protection

is reliant on others buying and

scheme. However there are

selling their properties which

other companies who provide

could jeopardise your home.

similar deals they include Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty.

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UTILITY BILLS ARE CHEAPER New homes are constructed

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HELP IS AT HAND There are lots of financial

schemes in place for new build homes such as the Government’s

using greener building methods

Help to Buy and Starter Homes

and boast energy efficient

one which aides first-time buyers in

appliances and are mostly

England to get on the property ladder.

triple glazed all of which means they’re cheaper to run than many older properties.

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YOU CAN DESIGN YOUR OWN HOME

If you buy off-plan, i.e. before a

SAFETY IS STANDARD

building has been completed some

Due to the rigorous

developers give you the option

construction rules that must be met

to decide upon décor, layout and

there is a raft of securities that are

functionality of the overall space.

included in the price of your new apartment, town house or detached property. These include window and door locks, alarms, security lighting and fire safety.

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FINISHED TO PERFECTION Included in most new build

contracts is a ‘snagging’ list. This means that all the paintwork, woodwork, fixtures and fittings

YOU’LL SAVE MONEY

have to be checked by the

Because all the cosmetic

construction company before you say you are totally happy

including the colour of your front

with it. So if a crack appears

door and kitchen – you won’t have

in the plasterwork or a kitchen

to spend a fortune on decorating

cupboard isn’t closing properly

or DIY when you move in.

you can get it fixed.

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finishes have been done for you –

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View from the top

In each issue of Viewpoint we ask an influential person in the town to talk about what they are doing in order to help further develop the prospects and potential of Tunbridge Wells. This time we talk to Tracy Moore, a mother, resident and key player in the Civic Development scheme

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GROWTH PLANS Councillor Tracy Moore is promoting the town’s new civic development

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am a borough councillor representing the Park ward, where I live, in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells. I am also a cabinet member at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, with responsibility for civic development communications. The civic development includes the proposals for a new 1,200 seat theatre, office building with civic suite, underground car park and new public square at the western edge of Calverley Grounds. Essentially my role has been to promote the advantages of this civic and cultural investment to the residents and businesses in the borough. Over the past six months I led a team to proactively share with the community the case for the civic development. Online, in the media and through a borough-wide road show, we attempted to explain the potential borough-wide benefits of the civic development. I became a borough councillor because I care deeply about my local community, I believe in public service and genuinely feel that Tunbridge Wells has unrealised potential. It’s a wonderful place to live, but I can’t shake the feeling that it could be so much better, like an unpolished gem. I also firmly believe in the council’s stated vision of the Cultural Strategy that Tunbridge Wells will be the ‘cultural heart of the Kent and Sussex Weald’. The new theatre investment is a means to that end. It can serve as a catalyst for further investment in the creative sector, and potentially a successful ‘clustering effect’ where creative businesses can continue to be attracted to and thrive in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Cultural-led regeneration has been successful elsewhere, such as with the Turner Contemporary. In addition, when retailers and restaurants choose where to locate today, there is a definitive flight to quality. The recent opening of The Ivy Tunbridge Wells is, I believe, a declaration of confidence in the future prosperity of the town. With the investment of an enhanced cultural offering, Tunbridge Wells can build on its 400-year-history as a destination town. The goal is to ensure Tunbridge Wells continues to be a thriving place where you can happily live, work and play. Twenty years ago I moved from the United States. I worked in the City in investment banking, prior to having children. My husband and I moved to Tunbridge Wells 14 years ago and we are enjoying raising our three children here. We have put roots down in Tunbridge Wells and I am proud to call this place home. We were attracted to the town’s historical charm, diversity of shops, restaurants and facilities, good schools, beautiful commons and proximity to the countryside. Although I did not seek out a role in local politics, it is not in my

COMMENT nature to simply snipe from the side-lines. I consider myself a very solution-focused person. When my children were small, I had local issues on my mind and contacted my local councillor to suggest ways of solving these problems. After half an hour, he suggested I consider standing for election myself! I served as a borough councillor for St. John’s ward for one term, but stood down when I moved across town. When the opportunity came up in 2015 to represent the ward I live in, I stood for election again. I really enjoy the work of a borough councillor because it can have such a direct impact on my local community. Decisions take significantly longer in the public sector than in the City, although over the years I have developed more patience with experience. I do feel that the council is more representative of the borough we serve now, than it was in 2008 when I was first elected. There is more gender balance, more diversity and also more workingage councillors and those with young families serving. I think it is important to have a multitude of different perspectives to contribute to discussion, and to ensure a fuller debate. I feel that my business degree, status as a Chartered Financial Analyst and my experience working in the City in both corporate bond sales and fund management, gives me a mix of skills that are incredibly relevant to the challenges and opportunities facing Tunbridge Wells Borough Council today. With our Revenue Support Grant from Government going to zero, we need to do more to foster economic growth, as future funding is tied to a vibrant local economy. It is because I am optimistic about the future of Tunbridge Wells that I support borrowing at a fixed, low rate, from the Public Works Loan Board to finance the investment in the civic development. I see the civic development as an asset replacement project and the council has made an evidence-based decision to proceed. The new theatre investment is one way that the council can do more to support existing business, but also to attract new employers by fostering an environment where entrepreneurs want to locate and grow their businesses. I see real opportunities for the council coming from the investment in the theatre and new public space, and for Tunbridge Wells to benefit from the synergies between the creative sector and the arts. I am excited by the growth plans and work streams identified by our South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) as part of the South East Creative Economy Network and I look forward to working with the County Council to explore new ways to support the growth of the local economy in West Kent, with Tunbridge Wells leading the way.

“

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THE THEATRE INVESTMENT CAN SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT IN THE CREATIVE SECTOR, AND POTENTIALLY A SUCCESSFUL ‘CLUSTERING EFFECT’ WHERE CREATIVE BUSINESSES CAN CONTINUE TO BE ATTRACTED TO AND THRIVE IN ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

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ADVERTORIAL

Knights Wood proves a perfect fit for Royal Tunbridge Wells N

A 21st century development Dandara has fostered a real sense of community at Knights Wood, which has grown to include a peaceful town square with a striking sculpture and water feature, plus a custom-built new school – Skinners’ Kent Primary School. These shared facilities will soon be completed by the first local shops at Knights Wood, which are expected to open during 2018. Unsurprisingly, Knights Wood has proved extremely popular with a wide-range of purchasers, from first-time buyers and young families to investors and downsizers. Tailored for Royal Tunbridge Wells The homes at Knights Wood are a unique blend of stylish house-types, chosen to suit their picturesque surroundings and ensure a genuine ‘sense of place’. Inspired by traditional Kentish architecture, they are

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estled within 150 acres of mature, protected woodland on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Knights Wood is a beautiful collection of modern family homes that has rapidly evolved into a popular destination in its own right. Launched in 2014, Knights Wood was the first venture into Kent by award-winning property developer Dandara. Recognised for the style and quality of its new homes, Dandara has been winning industry awards for over thirty years. It differs from many developers by taking responsibility for each stage of the house-building process, from planning and design through to construction and marketing. This approach has certainly proved successful at Knights Wood, which has claimed the ‘Best Residential Development’ accolade at the UK Property Awards on two separate occasions.

carefully crafted using a palette of local materials, including weatherboarding, brick and render. Timber bollards, attractive trees and low planting add character, helping to enhance the street scene and slowing traffic. Parking is allocated for every property, including off-road parking and garages for many homes. Additional spaces are also provided for visitors. Not only pleasing to the eye from the outside, a sense of understated style is apparent the minute you set foot inside any Dandara home – and Knights Wood is no exception. Carefully appointed interior layouts are designed to meet the rigours of modern living and with variations on internal layout to choose from, every buyer can be confident of finding a home to suit their lifestyle. Each house type at Knights Wood has been designed to make the most of light and space, incorporating features such as generously proportioned living rooms with patio doors, plus master bedrooms in all three-bedroom properties with their own en-suites. Three-bedroom homes also come complete with fitted wardrobes in both the master and second bedrooms.

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SHOPPING

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KNIGHTS WOOD IS A FANTASTIC LOCATION FROM WHICH TO EXPLORE THE LOCAL AREA AND BEYOND

Comfort and style go hand in hand at Knights Wood, with individually-designed continental kitchens by Leicht with a full range of integrated appliances, beautiful contemporary bathrooms and en-suites and floor coverings come as standard. Buyers also have the peace of mind that comes with a 10 year structural warranty, a two year Dandara warranty and a dedicated Customer Care team.

presented to the bus driver. The fare for non-residents is £5 each way. In a further boost for local residents, Centaur has announced it will be extending its popular commuter coach service to also stop at Knights Wood. The service will run to Canary Wharf and the City from Monday 9 April 2018. Family homes available now At the time of going to press, there are three and five bedroom modern family homes available to move into immediately at Knights Wood. Prices from £459,000 with Help to Buy available on selected plots*. Once these homes are sold, the next opportunity to buy at Knights Wood will be in the Autumn, when Phase Two of this rapidly evolving development will be released. For more details, please call 01892 800580, visit www.knightswood.co.uk or drop into the Knights Wood Marketing Suite, which is open daily from 10am to 5pm. *Prices correct at time of press.

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The commuter’s location of choice Knights Wood is a fantastic location from which to explore the local area and beyond, with London, the South Coast and even the continent all easily accessible. With the long-awaited upgrade of the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury to dual carriageway now complete, residents of Knights Wood benefit from a vastly improved local road network, with access to the M25 in less than 15 minutes. Close proximity to the M25 means that London Gatwick (45 mins) and London Heathrow (80 mins) can be easily reached by car, as can Ebbsfleet International

rail station (35 mins), from where direct high speeds trains can reach Brussels and Paris in around two hours. For residents needing to travel to London for work, there are two railway stations near to Knights Wood – High Brooms and Tunbridge Wells. During the morning, there are up to six trains per hour to four mainline London stations, with journey times of around 45 minutes to London Bridge and 50 minutes to Charing Cross. For those happy to walk or ride, High Brooms station is less than a mile from Knights Wood. To make the daily commute easier still, a shuttle bus service for residents operates daily between the Knights Wood Marketing Suite and High Brooms railway station. This weekday service commences at 6.00am, running every 20 minutes until 7.40am. In the evening, pick-ups from High Brooms station start at 6.00pm, running with the same frequency until 7.40pm. The fare for the service, which is operated by Compaid, is £1 each way for residents of Knights Wood, who are issued with an eligibility card to be

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ADVERTORIAL

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Peter Smith, Managing Director at Berkeley Homes Eastern Counties tells Viewpoint why he thinks Tunbridge Wells is the perfect place to purchase a property and put down roots

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you can still be in London in just 45 minutes. The town itself is renowned for its rich culture, as well as its dining and shopping offerings. Of course, there’s also the world-class schools, including well-known grammar schools like Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, The Skinner’s School and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar, which are hugely popular with local families.

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY Royal Wells Park is located on the site of the former Kent & Sussex Hospital. With the buildings no longer fit for purpose, and the hospital relocating to Tunbridge Wells Hospital - a new £225m facility just a few miles away in Pembury - we saw an exciting opportunity to create much-needed homes

in the heart of the town. Spread across 11 acres, the new community represents the largest redevelopment project in the centre of Tunbridge Wells for over two decades. Now, Royal Wells Park is home to 243 residences, from one, two and threebedroom apartments, to three, four, five and six-bedroom houses. We created 43 one and two-bedroom apartments for ‘senior living’: The Ardenhurst, located just opposite the main Royal Wells Park site, and ten affordable homes. When looking at the plans for the site, it was important to us that we invested in the future of the town, and brought further

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unbridge Wells has been a favourite destination for many years and, at Royal Wells Park, we saw an opportunity to contribute to this already well-established and highly desirable town. Tunbridge Wells has repeatedly been a top performer in Rightmove’s annual Happy at Home survey, which identifies the happiest places to live in the UK, and it’s easy to see why – locals really do get the best of all worlds. Sitting within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are 250 acres of open space across Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons on the doorstep, yet

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WE’VE SEEN HIGH DEMAND FROM A BROAD RANGE OF BUYERS, FROM YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO SECOND HOME OWNERS, AS WELL AS DOWNSIZERS LOOKING FOR A CONVENIENT TOWN CENTRE LOCATION

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employment and education opportunities to the area. As a result, Royal Wells Park houses an extensive new office building and a purpose-built primary school. Local Kent business, Cripps, has taken up residence in the office space, while The Wells Free School – one of the first developer-led schools in the country – welcomed pupils to its permanent home at the scheme in September 2016.

A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR TUNBRIDGE WELLS

LOOKING FORWARD Following the success of Royal Wells Park, we are now working on another exciting development in Tunbridge Wells, in Hawkenbury, which will deliver 235 much-needed new homes. The scheme will incorporate seven two and three-bedroom apartments and 146 three, four and fivebedroom homes, as well as 82 affordable homes, ranging from one and two-bedroom apartments to two and three-bedroom houses. The new development will also deliver a two-form entry primary school, enabling the relocation and expansion of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School. We are currently in the early stages of works on the site and are looking forward to unveiling the new homes to the residents of Tunbridge Wells in due course. Prices at Royal Wells Park start from £830,000 for a three-bedroom house. Also available are a range of one and two-bedroom apartments from £350,000. For further information please call Berkeley Homes on 01892 532 011 or visit www.royalwellspark.co.uk.

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Given its location just behind the bustling high street of Mount Ephraim, in a prime town centre location, we wanted the new homes at Royal Wells Park to blend into the traditional townscape of Tunbridge Wells. We looked at the Regency and Kentish-style architecture so abundant throughout the town, which inspired a range of traditional townhouses, elegant apartment buildings and impressive detached properties in a mews setting. Homes are also set within beautifully landscaped grounds, with

mature trees, a children’s play area and an attractive water feature. Following the launch of Royal Wells Park in 2014, over 60 per cent is now complete. Most recently, we launched Sovereign Place – the final collection of apartments within the neighbourhood, which offers a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes with flexible open-plan layouts. Since launching last autumn, we’ve seen high demand from a broad range of buyers, from young professionals to second home owners, as well as downsizers looking for a convenient town centre location. We also designed Royal Wells Park with families in mind – especially given the area’s impressive reputation for education – with spacious three, four and five-bedroom houses. At Regency Place, a collection of homes at the southern corner of the neighbourhood, modern family life is well catered for with open-plan kitchen, dining and living rooms, en-suite master bedrooms and generous private gardens.

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PROPERTY

EXPLORING THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET’S VALUE Securing a business premises here in Tunbridge Wells is made all the more easier when you employ the services of an industry expert. Here Shane Raggett from Broadlands explains what the market is currently looking like

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either expanding or coming into the town. Acting on behalf of BlackRock we have let a suite of 2000sq,ft and a suite of 5400sq. ft in Oakhurst House Mount Ephraim to local companies which have had to relocate because of their properties being converted to residential. A further suite of just under 5000sq.ft is currently under offer to a major organisation BlackRock also own the adjoining building Brockbourne House and here we have recently let suites of 3200sq. ft, 4000sq.ft and about to complete on a floor of 6800sq.ft.

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he commercial property market in and around Tunbridge Wells continues to be active and here at Broadlands Commercial Property Agents we have been particularly busy with the acquisition and disposal of a number of high profile properties. At present there is a shortage of good quality space most noticeably office space. A lot of older and more redundant office space has been converted to residential accommodation under PDR [Permitted Development Rights] creating the shortage of space which is hampering companies

During the last 18 months prime office rents have risen from £20psf to £27per square foot. On the business space side there is also a shortage of warehouse and industrial accommodation. We are currently offering a large business unit of 17,600sq.ft at 3 Longfield Road which is available to buy or to let. We recently sold 3 Chapman Way to a local printing company. This property created a lot of interest and was sold to yet another company from within the town looking to expand. We are shortly going to be offering two warehouse/industrial units of circa 5500sq.ft each which can be taken together or individually. On the retail front, again there is limited opportunity for good prominent space. We have just been asked to market 120 London Road Southborough on behalf of private clients. This is currently used as a supermarket and comprises 4000sq.ft over two floors. A new FRI lease is available at £40,000pax.

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ADVERTORIAL

INSURING HEALTHY SUCCESS IN LIFE Tunbridge Wells and AXA PPP healthcare go back a long way. Here Sonia Wolsey-Cooper, AXA PPP’s healthcare membership director, tells Viewpoint a little bit about the town’s biggest employer

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2,000 based in Tunbridge Wells. Today we’re one of the largest, most experienced health insurance providers in the UK. We provide cover for medical and dental care for individuals and employers, and employee wellbeing, counselling, occupational health and rehabilitation services through our Health Services division. We also form the UK healthcare arm of the global AXA Group – a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management, with 165,000 employees serving 107 million clients in 64 countries. In supporting the health needs of individuals and businesses throughout the UK in 2016, we paid over £300 million on muscle, joint and bone treatment, £200 million for cancer care and £68 million on treatment of heart conditions. As well as helping our members access timely treatment and care when they’re ill, we’re also passionate when it comes to supporting them to live healthier, more active lives. We work hard to practise what we preach too by investing in a positive, supportive workplace culture where employees are encouraged to have a good work/life

balance and lead healthy, active lives. For example, we try to make it easy for employees to embrace wellbeing through getting fit, staying healthy and being mindful. Towards this end, we offer discounted gym membership, access to health checks and, along with mindfulness workshops, we include yoga, pilates and tai chi as a part of our year-round programme of healthy activities for staff. We’re proud of our culture at AXA PPP healthcare. It’s part of everything that we do – it’s our values, our beliefs and the way we work together. We’re committed to building and sustaining a culture where individuals of all backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. And, we look to give every individual in our business the help they need for a fulfilling, rewarding career through coaching, mentoring, and support to secure professional qualifications should they wish to. In addition, we believe in supporting our local community. With so many AXA PPP healthcare employees being based in the Tunbridge Wells area we are, literally, part of its fabric and community. We’ve a long tradition of supporting local causes and every

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XA PPP healthcare and Tunbridge Wells share nearly sixty years of history. Our story, however, starts a little earlier – and under a different name. Seventy eight years ago we were based in London. Our focus in 1940 was serving the people of the metropolis by meeting their healthcare needs and we traded as the London Association for Hospital Services Limited. By 1953 we had over 10,000 customers. This figure grew to 50,000 by the time we relocated to Tunbridge Wells in 1959. Back then, a team of eighty employees administered our private medical benefits from a ‘curved’ building which (locals might remember) latterly became the Freight Transport Association’s offices, along St John’s Road. Fast forward to 2018: We’re still meeting people’s healthcare needs but we haven’t stood still. Our business has grown: We now employ over 3,000 people in the UK with over

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BEE HAPPY In acknowledgement of the crisis British bees are facing, we even host several beehives and have a team of employeekeepers to look after the bees’ needs.

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WE INCLUDE YOGA, PILATES AND TAI CHI AS A PART OF OUR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMME OF HEALTHY ACTIVITIES FOR STAFF

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year we raise money for a nominated charity. We also donate ‘hands on’ time and expertise to a wide range of local causes through our volunteering Hearts in Action programme. Our corporate responsibility extends to reducing our environmental impact by carefully managing our energy, paper and water consumption as well as our carbon footprint and waste. Every bit we can do counts in some way and, in acknowledgement of the crisis British bees are facing, we even host several beehives and have a team of employeekeepers to look after the bees’ needs. Efforts (from both parties) were recently rewarded with a ‘crop’ of 80 jars of honey! When it comes to education we do our part to help young people in our community by equipping them with key employability skills for their future. We’ve an established work experience programme for 14 to 19 year-olds, which we call Work Inspiration. We also work closely with local schools to deliver learning for their students that complements the current curriculum. This comes in the form of careers talks, enterprise challenges, social awareness campaigns and employability skills workshops. Looking forward, we’re excited about the future. Particularly so when it comes to emerging advances in health technologies and treatments that are certain to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives. That’s why, to discover tomorrow’s health innovations today, we founded an awards programme in 2014 Health Tech & You to showcase pioneering ideas from health tech developers, designers and entrepreneurs. This year, they focus on detection, monitoring and helping people make positive change in their lifestyle. We’ve come a long way. It’s a privilege to be in the business of health and to make a difference to so many people’s lives. But we’ll not rest and we look forward to meeting the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and to continuing to do our part to help meet the nation’s healthcare needs.

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MEET THE

creative collectIVE

While many go to London to seek their fortune, others decide to set up their business locally and Tunbridge Wells is no exception. In fact it’s one of the south east’s most successful places to launch and run a small business thanks to its favourable business rates and close proximity to both the capital and coast. Viewpoint talks to two firms who operate in Tunbridge Wells but reach a much wider national audience . . . TOM CHOWN CEO OF DIGITOM So Tom can you give us a brief history of your business? I set-up Digitom in 2010 when a previous project I’d been working on for Bob Geldof’s production company came to an end. I’d been working with a very talented team who set-up a pioneering online TV channel for Kent County Council creating content about the county for residents, visitors and business. We’d launched the channel six weeks before BBC iPlayer existed so the concept of people watching content on demand was very new. This early foray into online content formed the basis to establish a video production company, with a remit to create high quality video and animated content.

to operate here. I’m now fortunate to be operating a multi-award winning company with clients such as Groupe Eurotunnel, Savills, Sainsbury’s, Shepherd Neame, SpareRoom, University of Kent and Nextdoor.

Why did you decide to operate your business from Tunbridge Wells? I moved here in 2002 for a job with the BBC and fell in love with the town. We have a vibrant mix of businesses here offering a strong economy with a good balance of entertainment. Location wise, it’s just a short train journey into London and equidistant between Gatwick for international travel and Folkestone Eurotunnel for the continent; it made perfect sense

Do you find it easy to recruit people locally? Yes, recruitment isn’t an issue for us. The broadcast industry is a very popular and fast moving industry, traditionally based in London but Tunbridge Wells makes for a popular alternative as many have been priced out of the capital and choose to live here and raise their families. We therefore have experience on our side, attracting a strong team of talented creatives to work with.

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What are the key benefits of working in the town? We have a very strong creative industry in Tunbridge Wells and that was certainly a key factor for location. We serve clients in London and further afield so good transport links are important. But when we’re in pre and post production on projects the draw of living and working in the same town is a huge plus for a positive work/life balance.

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BUSINESS

Joe Lloyd runs Perk and Pearl, a coffee roasting business that started life as a small shop in town and now trades solely online. He explains why he decided to do this …

business. We have lived in the area since 2005 so we knew the lay of the land pretty well and the brand I was developing was also the perfect fit for the potential customer base in the town. Tunbridge Wells has a supportive network among the independent traders here. The retail environment is very tough at the best of times, so collaboration and support for each other is key for independents.” Joe’s three key benefits of working in Tunbridge Wells 1.It is where I live and so I can continue to engage with my customers on a local level. 2.There is a wholesale aspect to my business, so it is well positioned for me to travel to meet potential new customers, especially London. 3.Having established the brand here, as it grows, it has strength in being grounded in the place that it was born.

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“Perk and Pearl was established in 2013. The brand came about as a culmination of my background in retail and the coffee industry. I had always had the desire to create my own brand and having such a strong passion for coffee, it made sense to put this at the core of the brand. Initially we were very much a bricks and mortar business. I had worked for well-known high street chains, creating business strategies and establishing new store openings across the UK so I played to my strengths. However, as I learnt more about my own business, it became clear that the internet was a better option for the type of products I was selling.

The retail landscape is unrecognisable, even from just a few years ago. We could all see that ECommerce was a fast moving train, however it is a little more complex than just the internet changing the way we shop. The physical retail world is becoming ever more experiential and rather than lines of products, shops are becoming brand experiences. People will want to do all of their window shopping and decision making online but still want to engage with their brands in a tangible way. The retail industry is now unable to predict the next move. The rules have be torn up, or rather blown up! This means, at the moment, Perk and Pearl is in a safer place, as a local online retailer. We may look to enter back into the physical world at some point but this will be as an extension to our brand rather than the core experience. There are several factors that made Tunbridge Wells the destination for my

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Can you please delete ‘time’ from the last sentence in final paragraph

ADVERTORIAL

THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL CREATE A NEW VIBRANT PART FOR THE TOWN After nearly two decades the location of the old ABC cinema in the centre of town is being redeveloped and according to its developers Altitude Real Estate the end results will have been worth the wait has been derelict since the turn of the new century with a number of previous proposals falling by the wayside due to various issues. Altitude foresaw the potential that could be achieved by planning and developing a mix of residential, retail, community and leisure facilities of the highest quality. What are the key benefits for you developing in Tunbridge Wells? The town already enjoys a reputation as a lovely place to live and visit. And The Belvedere will be a bright new destination that attracts additional visitors to the town as well as providing new facilities for residents.

What immediate impact will it have for residents? It will vastly improve the shopping, dining, leisure and living experience in Tunbridge Wells. In addition, the Council have great plans for the town which includes a new 1200 seater theatre and the creation of a new cultural quarter which will all add to the vibrancy of the place. What do you hope people gain from having this new development in Tunbridge Wells? The Belvedere will add great variety and widen the retail and leisure choice for local people while providing much-

needed homes in the town centre. It will also provide a reinforcement of the link from The Pantiles to the main shopping area. Do you have a date of completion for the work yet? There is still a lot of work to do on this complex development including the progression of the detailed design and then construction of the scheme. We hope that work on site could start some time later this year or early next. There are still a number of issues to resolve but once we start work we anticipate a two and a half year construction period.

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Can you please give a brief overview of the cinema project you are undertaking in Tunbridge Wells? It’s going to be a new mixeduse development in a town that’s classified as a major ‘upscale’ regional shopping centre. The Belvedere will offer a range of high quality retail, restaurant and café bars. Anchored by a threescreen Everyman Cinema and over 100 high-end residential apartments, this development will create a new vibrant part for the town. Why did you decide to take this project on? This prominently located site

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THE BELVEDERE WILL ADD GREAT VARIETY AND WIDEN THE RETAIL AND LEISURE CHOICE

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Altitude’s Stephen Tillman

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OUT & ABOUT

LIFE’S GREAT OUTDOORS

Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding villages around it offer a plethora of places of interest for you to visit . . . Whether it’s a stroll along the historic Pantiles walkway or an afternoon spent boating at the delightful Dunorlan Park there’s plenty to see and do in and around Tunbridge Wells. If you fancy a hit of history then a visit to Chapel Place where you’ll find King Charles The Martyr Church and one of the country’s oldest and most esteemed establishments: Halls Bookshop is a must visit. But there are plenty of other places to see which are a short drive from the spa town. Historical piles such as Penshurst Place and Hever Castle are just on our doorstep and further afield there are other period places of interest to visit including Sissinghurst and Bodiam Castles. During the summer you can do everything from boating at Bewl reservoir to picking your own strawberries at one of the many fruit farms in the area while in the winter there’s fun to be had at the town’s ice rink. Here Viewpoint shares a few more of Tunbridge Wells appealing attractions…

PARK LIFE

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here are four big parks in the town to appreciate including the famous Dunorlan which was landscaped by Robert Marnock for the once private estate’s first owner Henry Reed. Also worth a visit is Calverley Grounds, which during the summer months hosts many festivals including the music weekend Local & Live and the cultural Mela celebration. During the winter it is home to the town’s festive ice rink which this year welcomed over 11,000 visitors. Calverley now also boasts an amazing children’s adventure playground which was made possible by the fund raising efforts of a group of local residents collectively known as the Friends of Calverley Grounds and their sponsors – as well as their award winning landscape artist Jennette Emery-Wallis who designed it. Grosvenor and Hilbert Park towards High Brooms and Southborough has also undergone extensive renovation courtesy of a lottery grant which has seen a brand new play park, café and cultural hub added to its grounds. St John’s Park, The Grove in town and also Southborough’s Pennington Park provide lots of other enjoyable places to amuse your little ones or to sit and picnic in. If you want to play at pirates, go trout fishing or simply sit and watch the world go by then you can always hop along the A21 where you’ll find Bewl Water Reservoir and a host of exciting things to do for all the family.

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Glorious Sheffield Park

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IMAGES COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL TRUST, SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, HEVER CASTLE AND VISIT KENT

OUT & ABOUT

HISTORY LESSONS

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ut Tunbridge Wells and its surrounding villages aren’t just about getting out and about and feeling at one with nature. It’s also very well placed for visiting lots of other interesting and historic places nearby too. If you fancy a history hit then there’s plenty to see including Anne Bolyen’s childhood home the glorious Hever Castle, famous writer Vita Sackville West’s former home in Sissinghurst and Winston Churchill’s residence Chartwell just a little further afield in Westerham. There’s also the interesting Spa Valley Railway which takes its visitors on enjoyable rail journeys through the glorious Wealden countryside. Then of course there are the number of National Trust places we are lucky enough to be spoilt with in the area. Richard

Henderson, who looks after National Trust Kent told Viewpoint: “From romantic ruins to rolling countryside, famous gardens to historic homes, the National Trust cares for a plethora of places near Tunbridge Wells. “Just a short drive south east will take you to Scotney Castle, where a castle ruin juxtaposes the grand mansion created by Edward Hussey III. To the north, Ightham Mote’s seven hundred year old manor reflects in the still water of the surrounding moat. Nearby Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill, evokes the great statesmanship and turbulent politics of more recent times. Our house teams, curators and volunteers conserve these special places, bringing their stories to life through changing exhibitions, talks and displays.” He also noted the important work done

by the trust’s gardening teams who work year-round to bring glorious beds, borders and blooms to life: “Sissinghurst Castle Garden, near Cranbrook, was created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. The team there is gently returning the ‘garden rooms’ to mirror their vision. Emmetts Garden, down the road from Chartwell, still features many of the species planted by Frederic Lubbock. Our head gardener is working to restore two areas of this garden to reflect Lubbock’s passion for exotic specimens. “Surrounding these places are acres of countryside and miles of woodland also in our care. National Trust rangers look after the many trails that criss-cross the Tunbridge Wells area and beyond, to open up places like Toys Hill for everyone to enjoy.” So . . . what are you waiting for?

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IF YOU FANCY A HISTORY HIT THEN THERE’S PLENTY TO SEE INCLUDING ANNE BOLYEN’S CHILDHOOD HOME THE GLORIOUS HEVER CASTLE

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EVENTS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY There’s plenty going on in Tunbridge Wells over the next few months. Here are Viewpoint’s top picks of the new season

APRIL

FULL STEAM AHEAD SPA VALLEY RAILWAY LINE During selected weekends in April the ever popular Thomas and Friends stream rail event will take place. Meet Thomas the Tank Engine, and all his friends and enjoy a scenic ride into the beautiful Wealden countryside. For ticket details and timings visit www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

MAY

JUNE

JULY

On Thursday May 3 the popular Jazz on The Pantiles sessions return for the summer season. Every week until the end of September a different jazz artist or group performs on the town’s famous bandstand and as the weather warms up the promenade’s numerous cafés, restaurants and bars put out extra tables so you can listen alfresco. For more information visit www.thepantiles.com

Bedgebury Pinetum welcomes two top pop acts as part of its Forest Live series of concerts. On June 15 you can see Paloma Faith, who brings her latest tour The Architect to this picturesque woodland setting, and the following day (June 16) Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott take to the stage. They’ll be singing their own material as well as that of The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. www.forestry.gov.uk

Calverley Grounds will stage the 13th Mela festival on July 1. This community festival which celebrates cultural diversity through a variety of music, food and dance from around the globe makes for a perfect family day out and is free to attend. See facebook en-gb.facebook.com/TunbridgeWellsMela

ALL THAT JAZZ

RACE FOR LIFE

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS AT PASHLEY MANOR Every year the beautiful grounds of Pashley Manor in Ticehurst are bursting with colour courtesy of their gorgeous tulips. Visitors can see lots of varieties and also have the chance to buy some bulbs during the festival which runs from April 24 until May 7. www.pashleymanorgardens.com

MUSIC MAESTRO MAYFIELD MUSIC FESTIVAL

BROUGHT TO BOOK Chiddingstone Literary Festival takes place once again from Sunday May 6 until Tuesday May 8. This year’s guest speakers include one of the UK’s most successful crime writers Ian Rankin alongside other literary luminaries including children’s author Lauren Child, food writer Diana Henry, and journalist Leanda de Lisle. There will also be live theatre and a schools programme. www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

FRINGE FESTIVAL Unfest the alternative music festival, run by the people behind The Forum, happens over the bank holiday weekend (May 25-28) and as this year is the legendary music venue’s 25th birthday it promises to be an event not to be missed for all music and arts lovers. www.unfest.org

MELA MANIA

WAR STORY

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY There’s more music to enjoy this month courtesy of the Black Deer Americana and Country festival which pitches up at Eridge Park over the weekend of June 22 and 24. Starring artists such as Iron & Wine, Ashley Campbell and actor turned musician Kiefer Sutherland it brings a taste of America’s deep south roots to the south east. www.blackdeerfestival.com

A TASTE OF HISTORY Hever Castle hosts its yearly Home Front event during the last weekend of June inviting visitors to step back in time to the 1940s and experience a taste of wartime Britain in order to mark Armed Forces day. A spitfire and reconstructions of a 1940s living room, bombed out street and air raid shelter all replicating the sights and sounds of the time. www.hevercastle.co.uk

Sebastian Faulkes’ moving wartime novel Birdsong is beautifully brought to life in an acclaimed production which will be on at the Assembly Hall from July 2 until 9. Starring Tom Kay as soldier Stephen Wraysford and Madeline Knight as his French sweetheart Isabelle Azaire this poignant tale is a must see. www.assemblyhalltheatre.net

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY TV chef Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park food festival comes to Dunorlan Park over the weekend of July 6 – 8. As well as having the opportunity to sample Mr Kerridge’s signature dishes you can feast on other Michelin starred chefs offerings including Atul Kochhar and Angela Hartnett. The likes of Tom Odell, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Mel C will also perform. www.pubintheparkuk.com

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This annual and much revered festival is on from April 28 until May 13. As well as a number of classical concerts there will also be an array of jazz performers, dance troupes and poetry sessions taking place alongside the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition. www.mayfieldmusicfestival.co.uk

On Saturday May 5 the first Crazy Jeans Soapbox race takes place in Dunorlan Park. Organised by Jean’s Bar on St John’s Road the event hopes to attract over 10,000 spectators to this unique family fun day which will raise vital funds for both Hospice in the Weald and ellenor children’s charity. www.crazyjeansevents.com

KEEPING THE FAITH

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FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD Tunbridge Wells prides itself on its vibrant restaurant and hospitality scene and mouth-watering array of excellent local produce which makes sourcing a gourmet dining experience, perfect pint or selection of specialist products easy as pie says Frederick Latty

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Today, Tunbridge Wells is known far and wide as a beacon of multicultural cuisine. There are more than 220 eateries available throughout the area, not to mention two farmers’ markets and food festivals every year, which showcase the very best produce the Garden of England and beyond has to offer. Among the most well-known places to visit is the historic Pantiles. Once a playground for gentry and royalty, the pretty

colonnaded walkway is famed for the iron-rich waters of the Chalybeate Spring, which once rivalled the likes of Bath and Brighton and were reputed to cure such ailments as infertility, hangovers and obesity. Now, the promenade remains a must-see for both locals and visitors on account of its communal feel and bustling atmosphere. And with a multitude of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés banding together to form The

Association of Pantiles Traders, it’s perhaps one of the most collaborative foodie districts in Kent, as head trader Matthew Sankey explains: “It’s very much now a mixture of retail and food and beverage,” he says. “We’re quite proactive in driving footfall to the area; we run the markets and the food festivals and put on other events, so it’s a real destination. There’s been a resurgence in the last few years and the place has been given a

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here can be few destinations in Kent that boast a food and drink scene as buoyant as that of Tunbridge Wells. From its discovery by Lord North in 1606, to its reputation as a popular spa destination in the Georgian and Victorian eras, the town has flourished to become one of the region’s most desirable locations, thanks in no small part to its vibrant gastronomic landscape.

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FOOD & DRINK

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS IS KNOWN FAR AND WIDE AS A BEACON OF MULTICULTURAL CUISINE

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remains front and centre, no matter where it might come from. “We’re incredibly lucky being in Kent, because a lot of produce is cultivated here,” says Matthew. “But that doesn’t mean we use it exclusively; it’s more key that we’re using locally based wholesale companies. “We need to make sure we keep the local economy thriving, and spending money with independent food and beverage sites is a great way of doing that because we’ll always buy off local people. It’s important that we’re using local suppliers and the best produce from whoever’s growing and producing it. It might not be local, but as long as we’re using local people to source it, that’s the important thing.”

Tunbridge Wells has a buzzing gastro scene to sink your teeth into…

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rom bijou bistros like Coco Retro and The Warren nestled next to the High Street, to the more experimental eateries dotted along the Camden Road such as Vittle and Swig and Rendezvous – not to mention a raft of top quality chains and Indian and Asian restaurants – Tunbridge Wells is lucky to boast a really varied range of places to chow down. This not only ensures the town’s residents eat very well, it also means that it continues to be a place of gourmet interest for those visiting, too. Another factor that has helped drive the town’s impressive foodie footfall is its array of celebrity chefs who include Rosemary Shrager and James Tanner of The Kentish Hare in Bidborough who have helped put Tunbridge Wells on the culinary map. And then there’s the recent arrival of an outpost of one of London’s most famous eateries The Ivy which opened late last year on the High Street. Its Operations Director Duncan Colbeck tells Viewpoint why they chose Royal Tunbridge Wells: “We’ve been interested to open here for some time due to the town’s longstanding cultural heritage and relative proximity to London. We felt that those living and working in Royal Tunbridge Wells would appreciate our brand, our ethos and what we aim to bring to the local area and community.” Then of course there’s the myriad of independent cafés dotted all over town which enjoy a bustling trade courtesy of their commitment to providing customers with the best offering of food and drink they can source. Add the wealth of specialist farmers’ markets which regularly take place and the recently launched Food Festival which takes place again in September and you have a town that’s brimming with gastro goodies. And that’s not even taking in the number of excellent hotels and bars it has. Turn over for our pick of the best… f

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bit of a makeover, so it’s on the way up.” For Matthew and his peers, operating at the bottom of the town is a dream come true. A sense of community permeates each and every venue, who work together to make the thoroughfare as attractive as possible to their customers through a variety of events, from the packed-out Jazz on The Pantiles evenings during the summer months to the equally appealing biannual food festivals. Equally, Kent itself remains an integral part of the story; indeed, the county’s natural larder has been instrumental in enabling small businesses to make their marks on the local economy, while ensuring the produce

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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HOTELS

HOTEL CONFIDENTIAL

There’s always a warm welcome to be had in Tunbridge Wells says Eileen Leahy thanks to its number of excellent hotels

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its welcoming ambiance and first class food. “Everything we have here is fresh and we always try to keep our suppliers local. We take local deer from the Ashdown Forest and pheasants from Buckhurst Park. “Our aim is always to deliver fantastic food in a friendly environment. It sounds simple, but is in fact quite tricky to accomplish. The one thing I think we do really well is we have fantastic front of house team. No one works from a script, we won’t try and upsell you everything, we just try and ensure that you have, great food and attentive service in a relaxed and charming environment.” Another popular place is the Hotel Du Vin which has been in Tunbridge Wells for the past 21 years. James McComas, the hotel’s General Manager explains its enduring appeal : “The team at Hotel du Vin practically invented the concept of boutique hotels back in 1994 when hotels were something very different, with our first being in Winchester. In 1997 our Tunbridge Wells property followed in this similarly historic English town. Since then we’ve seen the ‘boutique’ concept flourish. “For two decades we’ve continued to offer quality French-inspired bistro food and hand-

selected wines in a very British manner. One thing that we’ve always believed in, and has since become yet another national trend, is sourcing seasonal and regional produce from suppliers with a commitment to incredible products and who share our values. They are extremely passionate about what they do.” And unlike the cold bland character of a soulless chain, Hotel Du Vin has prided itself on creating a very inviting atmosphere. “We love that travellers and discerning locals alike treat Hotel du Vin as a second home,” says James. The Spa Hotel has also adopted this ethos of making their guests feel like they never want to leave this lap of luxury courtesy of the extensive refurbishments that have taken place over the last few years. And in the quest to be just that little bit different and entice more customers last summer saw the launch of The Spa’s outdoor cinema club which perfectly showcases the building and its magnificent grounds alongside the incredible food. But don’t just take our word for it why not go along yourself and see why the many hotels of Tunbridge Wells are worth exploring as a tourist in your own town…

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hether you’re looking for a place for your visiting friends and family to stay, wanting to dine out for a very special occasion or simply sit and sip a cocktail and watch the world go by you’ll find pretty much all of Tunbridge Wells’ prestige hotels will have something to suit. From the legendary establishments like The Spa Hotel on Mount Ephraim to the newest kid on the block One Warwick Park our town is very well served when it comes to superior hospitality hubs. And unlike a lot of towns, the offering here in Tunbridge Wells tends to be on the independent and idiosyncratic rather than a big collection of chains, which fill the town with a chequerboard of interesting and unique places to stay, dine or spa. One such establishment is the beautiful Tunbridge Wells Hotel on The Pantiles. It’s run by Julian Leefe-Griffiths who also, along with The Pantiles Bandstand company, oversees all the entertainment and events that take place on the historic walkways throughout the year such as Jazz on the Pantiles and the numerous food markets. His hotel oozes Gallic chic and its restaurant maintains an excellent reputation courtesy of

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DRINKING

RAISE A GLASS

EXPERIENCE, ENJOY, IMBIBE RESPONSIBLY, UNWIND, MINGLE AND REPLAY!

Drinks expert James Viner celebrates our brilliant bars… ith a royal stamp of approval it’s no wonder the affluent, elegant and thirsty spa town of Tunbridge Wells was named the fifth happiest place to live in Britain, according to 2017’s annual Rightmove Happy at Home survey. The town boasts countless chain and indie cafés, quirky shops, bars and restaurants, especially on the Camden Road and Pantiles. But above all perhaps, Tunbridge Wells is the consummate drinker’s town especially a beer-drinker’s one thanks to the fact it’s host to one of the busiest beer festivals in the Southeast — the CAMRA Real Ale & Cider Festival returns for its eighth year in October. If you’re meeting friends or fancy an aperitif before a meal, or a show, then you’re spoiled for choice as Tunbridge Wells is in very rude health when it comes to its lively bar scene, offering traditional and modern establishments where you can imbibe splendidly and enjoy good conversation.

It’s a place that’s been a mecca for carousers for years so it’s no shock that it still offers some of the best beers, wines and gins in the county. This is arguably the most exciting time ever in the gin and beer world and is reflected in my choice of fantastic recently-established must-visit elite drinking saloons below. Thanks to their astute publicans and such top-line supply booze distributors as Pig’s Ears Beer Ltd and The Bottle Shop, these establishments can offer Tunbridge Wells’ pint-quaffing citizens a cornucopia of tasty tipples.

“We must recall that Nature’s laws Are generally sound, And everywhere, for some good cause, Some alcohol is found. There’s alcohol in plant and tree, It must be Nature’s plan That there should be, in fair degree, Some alcohol in Man.” A. P. HERBERT (1956)

3 MUST-TRY ELITE WATERING HOLES FOR DISCERNING DRINKERS

THE PANTILES TAP

CHAPEL PLACE GIN BAR

28 Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2AP

39 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TE

18 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YQ

Many drinking dens in Tunbridge Wells’

Run by a very clued-up couple, Geoff

England’s gin revival continues apace,

so-called ‘Calverley Quarter’ are places to

and Jo Wentworth, this homely hideout

with more and more specialist drinking

experience real local bonhomie and Fuggles

is still the HQ of Hops on The Pantiles. It

dens popping up across all corners of

is one such establishment. Founded in

opened a year after Fuggles and swiftly

Kent. Residents of TW can’t rave enough

November 2013 and formerly a forsaken

became a regular stop for those in

about this elegantly appointed gin bar

shoe-shop, this likeable and popular venue is

pursuit of beer heaven. While certainly

near The Pantiles, which opened in

one of the town’s pre-eminent craft beer pubs

not hipster – which will come as a relief

November 2015. It’s THE destination for

with a goodly range of British and Belgian

to many – its range of microbrew beers,

the town’s gin cognoscenti, offering up to

beers on draft/in bottle and over 100 whiskies

served from both cask and keg, remains

120 thrilling bottles at any one time. Both

and gins. Add on events such as regular

hugely impressive and is judiciously

the tonic and the garnish are carefully

tap takeovers, “Meet the Brewer,” excellent

chosen, featuring such stars as Arbor

thought out to pair perfectly with your

charcuterie and cheese and you’re in nirvana

Ales, Magic Rock, Brew by Numbers

gin of choice. The atmosphere’s buzzy

in a town that does beer increasingly so well.

and local stalwarts Chapel Down and

and animated and the compact place can

So successful has Fuggles been in Tunbridge

Larkins, presented with zero pretension.

easily get crammed, but it’s a welcome

Wells that it has recently opened a second

Peaceful in winter and pleasant outside

addition to our thriving bar scene. They

branch in nearby Tonbridge which is also

in summer listening to the jazz on The

also make magnificent cocktails so grab

proving to be very popular. So if you haven’t

Pantiles, this basement bar’s the place

a French 75 mixed with local Chapel

pulled up a stool at the bar at either Fuggles

to dive into if you’re in search of great

Down sparkling vino/1606 gin and

café yet then what are you waiting for?

beer and banter.

you’re set for a good time!

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FUGGLES BEER CAFÉ

FOLLOW JAMES VINER ON TWITTER@QUIXOTICWINE

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CORNERING THE MARKETS Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is committed to providing its residents and visitors with the best local produce and a fantastic tourist experience . . . FARMERS MARKET

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very second and fourth Saturday the Farmers Market can be found outside the Town Hall. With around 30 stalls, depending on the time of year, and the weather, you can find all your daily groceries – bread, veg, eggs, fish and meat. There are also beautiful plants for your garden from local nurseries and plenty of treats for everyone including local honey and home-made cakes. Only local producers and growers are hosted within the market and priority is given to producers based within Tunbridge Wells borough. Producers must only sell their own produce, which has been grown, reared, caught or processed. We are always looking for new and interesting stalls and we are keen to support new

businesses, so please contact us if you are interested in selling at the market and meet the criteria above. The Farmers Market has many regular customers but also passing trade as shoppers make their way between the top and bottom of the town. Why not drop by?

The Farmers Market is held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month outside the Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RS from 9am to 2pm

April May June July August September October November December

14 12 9 14 11 8 13 10 8

28 26 23 28 25 22 27 24 22

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Saturday, 22 December 2018 For more information please contact the Farmers Market Manager on 01892 554244 or e-mail

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farmersmarket@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

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ADVERTORIAL

COME AND VISIT

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he most recent research on the economic impact of tourism highlighted the continued importance of the sector to the borough with 4.4 million trips taken in the area and a total of ÂŁ261 million spend. The visitor economy supports 4,909 local jobs. The sector is dominated by small and medium sized businesses which the Council is keen to support. The Tourist Information Centre (TIC) is located in the Corn Exchange in the heart of the Pantiles. It is one of the first points of calls for the many visitors that come to the area every year. The staff at the TIC assist about 28,000 visitors each year, encouraging them to explore the area fully and supporting the many tourism businesses in the borough. As well as the face to face service offered at the TIC, our

team works hard to ensure that the Visit Tunbridge Wells website has plenty of ideas about what visitors can see and do, whatever time of year they arrive. The website also offers advertising opportunities for local businesses, so please contact us if you are interested. The Council works with partners including Visit Kent, Visit Britain and Tourism South East to raise the profile of Tunbridge Wells as a visitor destination through representation in the press and organising familiarisation visits for overse as press and tour operators. Guided Walks with Blue Badge Guides are available for individuals and groups through contacting the TIC. Follow the Tourist Information Service on Twitter and Facebook www.visittunbridgewells.com

Tourism in Tunbridge Wells supports

4,909 jobs This equates to

1 in 10

of all jobs in Tunbridge Wells (1 in 10 across the UK)

3,760 jobs

most are employed in tourism related industries

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? INDUSTRIES THAT BENEFIT THE MOST 12%

TRAVEL

1,149 jobs are indirect and income-induced jobs

10%

ACCOMMODATION

Those on business spend

3.5 nights in the area and spend

ÂŁ333.61

10%

ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

31%

37%

SHOPPING

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FOOD & DRINK

for the duration of the trip

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ADVERTORIAL

TARGETFOLLOW CELEBRATES 10 YEARS ON THE PANTILES The historic and famous Upper Pantiles has seen 10 years of investment and transformation under the ownership of property investment, development and asset management company Targetfollow. Spokesperson Paul Burnett tells Viewpoint more...

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to become home to Sankey’s restaurant. Targetfollow have invested over £500,000 in a rolling programme of refurbishment and restoration transforming other properties on The Pantiles, repairing and improving the outside environment (Breedon Gravel Restoration, paving repairs, crest restoration etc.) and conversion of the old Swan Garage into the new home of Joseph McCarthy fine frames. Under Targetfollow’s ownership and management the Upper Pantiles has become fully let attracting 15 new tenants including high street brand Jack Wills and a plethora of other shops,

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he company has enabled The Pantiles to progress from being a tertiary retail pitch into a premier boutique shopping location, prime eating area and venue for live entertainment in the town. The former Swan Hotel was completely refurbished into the boutique Tunbridge Wells Hotel opened by Julian Leefe-Griffiths while the former Old Fish Market and Tourist Information Centre has been converted

salons, hotel and restaurants. Other new tenants include Any Occasion, Chegworth Valley, Chocolatl, Collared, Mink Interiors, Morgan Hodges, Oak and Interiors, Beumee Fine Art, The Cakeshed, The Pantiles Tap and The White Room Hairdressing. The new influx has moulded with other well established Pantiles traders including Peter Jenner whose jewellery business has been located at The Pantiles for almost 40 years. A number of the tenants have won national awards and welcomed celebrities over the years. Targetfollow co-founded The Pantiles Events Company as a Joint Venture with Lower Pantiles LLP. Along with the huge efforts of local entrepreneur and proprietor of Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, they have flourished a series of entertainment ranging from live music, markets, fashion shows, food festivals and celebrations attracting tens of thousands of people across a growing number of events each year (more than one hundred events in 2017). This has fully utilised the Bandstand which has always been a venue and attraction for the town along with the wider Pantiles.

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TARGETFOLLOW ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING HIGH QUALITY, INNOVATIVE EVENTS THAT APPEAL TO THE ENTIRE TOWN

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in partnership with including Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the Commons Conservators, the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together. Through a hands-on management approach and an ethos of community engagement, Targetfollow are set to unfold plans over the next few years which will see the enrichment of the community and contribute towards the enlivenment and development of the town. The Pantiles events programme has become a staple in the town’s activity calendar and Targetfollow are committed to ensuring high quality, innovative events that appeal to the entire town and beyond for years to come. Targetfollow will continue working in partnership with groups such as the Commons Conservators to ensure the Commons always provide a venue for communitydriven activities and enjoyment as well as attracting visitors and tourists to the town. Targetfollow are excited to play a part in the future of Tunbridge Wells.

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Targetfollow’s tenant and community engagement, the launch of a new website, free Wi-Fi and social media presence contributed to The Upper Pantiles being a finalist in the Great British High Street of the Year Awards in 2016 and securing the prime ‘Mayfair’ position on the new Hasbro Tunbridge Wells Monopoly game. Recently Targetfollow, Dandara and the Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons co-funded newly commissioned information panels for the Commons - the countryside in the town - to encourage the exploration of its 256 acres. Diverse and beautiful, the Commons are already famous for their unique sandstone outcrops whilst concurrently being a home to communities, two cricket clubs, a children’s nursery and numerous churches and pubs. Targetfollow are long term investors in property and in Tunbridge Wells, and are appreciative of the support received from local people and the numerous local stakeholders they are actively working

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culture club To say the town has a good offering of arts, theatre and music is something of an understatement thanks to its two existing theatres, soon to be built state-of-the-art civic development and numerous art galleries, museums and music venues. Viewpoint talks to the town’s key cultural players about why they think Tunbridge Wells is such a cool and cultured place to be...

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TUNBRIDGE WELLS

ART & CULTURE

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ART & CULTURE

When I started work at the Assembly Hall in 2016 I said I wanted to make the theatre more accessible to our local community and to place it closer to the cultural heart of the borough. Many people would ask ‘What on earth does that mean?’ Well essentially it meant trying to ensure that families and individuals on low incomes could afford tickets – and now we hold 10 £10 seats for GO CARD holders for every show. We also have Pay What You Can tickets for GO CARD on a selection of shows throughout the year so it can cost as much as you can afford. This meant delivering new activities with other collectives, so we now run a Youth Theatre in Sherwood at TN2 in partnership with our friends at Trinity Theatre. We also worked with The Forum to programme music sessions at the Ice Rink, and collaborated with 14 schools in the run up to Christmas who provided all our decorations in the foyers and bars during out panto season. Other collaborations include the Puppetry Festival where we worked on two shows with them in non-traditional spaces in the theatre. We also have plans to do a very special site specific project over the next two years and provided the theatre free of charge to hold a fundraiser to raise money and provide exposure for the Calverley Adventure Grounds. We have also piloted a ‘Bring a Book to Life’ scheme with our local library services but for me that’s not enough! When I’m asked if culture is alive in Tunbridge Wells? I respond ‘yes.’ We have such amazing work being created in our borough. We are privileged to have companies like Applause Rural Touring, Strangeface, Rock Choir, The Talentz, Local & Live, and events like the Mela, the ice rink, Sound of the Wells all contributing to the culture on offer. And that’s before I even mention the mammoth efforts made to enliven The Pantiles through musical events like its weekly jazz nights during the summer and the Soul Train as well as its specialist markets. We also have a group of local creatives who meet every month called @twellscreatives and they include writers, poets and more who are not just based in Tunbridge Wells but in the surrounding villages, too. We are developing an amazing Cultural Learning Hub and have institutions such as Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra, the Choral Society and Tunbridge Wells Operatic Drama Society – or TWODS - creating

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WHEN I’M ASKED IF CULTURE IS ALIVE IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS? I RESPOND ‘YES.’

opportunities for people to become members, perform or watch local talent. So now we need to join up more of those groups and start thinking about our home-grown talent, how we support the cultural leaders of the future and how we ensure our current offer supports and inspires them. All this of course needs to be done while making sure we attract more and more people to visit. To do these things needs energy, commitment and focus – which our borough has. It needs a willingness to embrace change and to take risks, which all of the cultural partners I have worked with welcome with open arms. The Forum is an internationally recognised talent development factory and they have played host to so many famous contemporary artists . It’s their 25th Anniversary this year – so we should all show them some support as the whole place is run by volunteers. There is also a dedicated group of volunteers at Trinity Theatre and the Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery and a little support and encouragement goes a long way. We really are a superbly talented, vibrant and culturally rich borough and should all be so very proud of this. We should share this with as many residents, friends, family, colleagues and visitors as possible!

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Tunbridge Wells’ music scene continues to evolve and flourish adding further weight to the town’s burgeoning reputation as a popular cultural destination. We are very fortunate to have dedicated music venues such as Trinity Theatre, The Assembly Hall, The Forum, The Grey Lady and a host of pubs, churches, restaurants and bars that all support regular live music across the borough. The number of music festivals seems to be steadily increasing over the years and this year’s summer looks jam packed with the likes of Unfest, The Pantiles Jazz Series, Pub In The Park, Local & Live, The Mela Festival, The Black Deer Festival, and The RTW International Classical Festival all scheduled to go ahead in 2018. A successful music scene depends heavily on support from the local community - from musicians and music lovers to of course the venues. For many it really is a labour of love as the costs and time of putting on live music often far outweigh the net financial return. The council here in Tunbridge Wells have been supportive but one thing is certain though, and that’s if we as a community do not continue to go out and support our local venues, live music will quickly evaporate as it has sadly done so in many towns across the UK. Local & Live is an annual free festival that takes place over the late August bank holiday weekend which I organise. It has grown from a very humble one day fest to a four day extravaganza with Calverley Grounds as its new home. Funding remains a key battle for the event and if we do not raise enough sponsorship and funding for the 2018 event, it will not happen. I have lived in Tunbridge Wells my whole life and to witness the development and expansion of our music scene is something very fulfilling and that I hold very close to my heart. But this is just the beginning, for Tunbridge Wells to reach its true cultural potential, live music has to continue all year round, it needs investment and it needs constant support. Long may it continue...

JJ Almond, Artistic Director, at The Assembly Hall Theatre, on why we should all take pride in our community and its culture

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Paul Dunton is one of Tunbridge Wells’ most important music promoters and musicians. Here he tells Viewpoint why he loves the local music scene and why it’s so vital to keep supporting it

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ART & CULTURE Jason Dorman started the iconic music venue that is The Forum 25 years ago and since then the former public toilet has welcomed thousands of performers to its stage. With the likes of Coldplay, Oasis and latterly Wolf Alice and Pale Waves playing there Jason explains its cultural allure... So Jason how important do you feel it is to have a musical heart to a town like Tunbridge Wells? It’s essential. Without the art and music, we’d just be another bit of stockbroker belt with convenient transport links to the city of London. Independent venues are a dying breed, but every town needs one. How influential do you think The Forum has been in inspiring the town’s youth/residents into getting into music? We don’t like to blow our own trumpet but if we’re proud of anything it’s our youth engagement. Grassroots music venues are the research and development arm of the music industry and The Forum is no different. After 25 years we have a few alumni we’re very proud of from Jeremy Pritchard of Everything, Everything to those who cut their teeth here more recently - like Slaves, and Lady Bird (if you haven’t heard of them yet then watch this space) Musicians aside, venues like ours also provide young people’s first independent experience of music and art and that can really shape a human being. Any key memorable moments from the past 25 years of running The Forum? So many! There are various stories: Liam Gallagher being refused service and telling the barman that when he made it big he was going to buy the venue just so he could fire him (we are still awaiting his offer). A band whose van got stuck in the mud outside on the Common and a gang of us having to push it with a then little known singer/songwriter called Adele. But name dropping aside, running a venue is very hard work. We often wonder why we do it. But every so often there are moments that make it all worthwhile. Putting on a gig, being part of a team of great volunteers that make it happen, and then watching the punters enjoy it, makes it all worthwhile. Do you feel there is a good networking system between the venues in this town? Tunbridge Wells’ Cultural Consortium is a good support network. Four times a year we meet up with representatives from Trinity theatre, the museum, JJ Almond from The Assembly hall etc to discuss things. We all really believe in the town and its potential as a cultural hub. Are you supportive of one another? Despite being competitors, we realise that it’s not necessarily a zero-sum game and we can potentially all be successful together. Like any job there are certain things that can’t be appreciated unless you’ve done the job, so we have similar problems, and motivations.

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Do you feel it is important to keep improving the musical/cultural landscape for Tunbridge Wells? For us it’s the most important thing. We recently had a really good meeting with the council where we agreed Tunbridge Wells should aspire to have a national reputation for art and culture. Between Canterbury to the East, London to the North and Brighton to the South there isn’t a town with as much potential as Tunbridge Wells. It’s not so much that it makes it a tourist destination as culture makes a town a good place to live. What does 2018 have in store for Forum fans? Aside from preparing for the apocalypse, we’re just about to start booking for Unfest - the music festival we run every year between The Forum and our pubs The George, The Ragged Trousers and The Sussex. The big push at the moment is the relaunch of The Stable - the night we put on emerging artists at The Forum. We’re also launching a patronage scheme to raise money for the aforementioned project.

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ART & CULTURE John Martin is artistic director of Trinity Theatre and here he explains why diversity is key to the ongoing success of the cultural venue, which welcomes over 52,000 visitors each year Trinity Theatre is a registered charity, 291 seat theatre and arts venue in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells set in a striking 19th century Decimus Burton designed grade II* listed building. We present a wide range of diverse live performances of drama, comedy, music, and dance as well as cinema screenings and broadcasts of world class theatre, opera, and dance from around the world. Also, we have a welcoming gallery space and a café-bar open throughout the day. We are open nearly every day of the year – only closing on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Currently we present nearly 600 separate events a year attracting audiences of over 52,000. Our normal programme is Youth Theatre on a Monday, film screenings on a Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday to Saturday are devoted to live performances of drama, music, comedy, and dance. Sunday afternoon is our regular children’s theatre followed by film screenings. We are passionate about being a venue for the local community. Trinity Theatre Club, a local amateur company, visits us four times a year with their week-long productions and local schools and dance schools regularly perform here. I have also been producing professional productions in the summer for the last six years with shows such as Monty Python’s Spamalot and One Man Two Guvnors both of which played to record audiences. We are at our core a theatre which informs everything we do. Our vision is to inspire communities to engage in a

diverse range of great cultural experiences and feel we have a vital role to play in the local community. We also are the only theatre in the area that produces and directs their own Christmas show – combining our in-house talent and expertise, with professionals both on stage and off, as well as local children who are given an unparalleled opportunity to work in a professional environment. Our most recent production of the Royal Shakespeare Company version of the classic MGM musical The Wizard of Oz garnered a 5-star review in The Stage (their highest accolade) as well as being named as one of their shows of the year! We have built strong relationships with professional companies nationally and locally and recognise that we have a key role in the community to support and encourage local actors, singers, musicians, directors, producers, etc. Young people are a vital part of what we do, and we have a vibrant and growing Youth Theatre that is supplemented by workshops on particular skills as well as two summer productions. They are now moving to produce shows at other times of the year – and, where possible, young people are involved in every aspect of the production both on and off stage. We firmly believe that theatre helps grow citizens and audiences of tomorrow and we are committed to achieving those outcomes. We work with other groups as well in conjunction with Kent County Council hosting regular art groups and drama workshops for those with additional needs. We have recently introduced our popular Senior Screenings on a Monday morning with the aim of combating social isolation, in conjunction with the Good Neighbour Project.

We collaborate with other venues in the town via the Cultural Consortium and I meet regularly with JJ - the director of The Assembly Hall Theatre - with a view to ensuring that we complement each other as well as finding opportunities to work together and share resources. Currently we are working together to deliver a free Youth Theatre in Sherwood as well as jointly presenting Jasmin Vardimon Dance at Trinity in the autumn with a view to our both developing audiences for contemporary dance in Tunbridge Wells. We have recognised that we need to continue to grow and adapt in the face of a landscape that includes decreasing funding and increasing costs. To that end we have developed some exciting plans to open up and enhance our building that we are awaiting the results of a funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for. When we have the results of this – and assuming it is in the affirmative! – we will be able to share these plans and ambitions in more detail.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS TRINITY’S FANS HAVE TO SAY: f 98% thought that we are important to the overall cultural offering of Tunbridge Wells

They also made comments like this: –

f 95% thought that it is important that we make our building and its history more accessible

“Trinity is a treasure for Tunbridge Wells and we are lucky to have it.” “Trinity is at the heart of arts and the community in Tun Wells.I couldn’t imagine enjoying living in Tunbridge Wells without it.”

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f 68% thought that it is important that we provide community spaces and activities

“Don’t ever close. Love this place!”

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PROMOTI NG

RETAIL VALUE When it comes to sourcing everything from fashion to food items, Tunbridge Wells has a wealth of wonderful shopping experiences to offer says Eileen Leahy

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looking for items that are more individual thanks to its vibrant mix of shops dotted along The Pantiles and the High Street. Trevor Mottram kitchen emporium, Mink Interiors and Collared pet accessory boutique are a few the local success stories to be found along the historic Pantiles walkway while the High Street’s high end retailers include The White Company, CP Hart bathrooms, Mint Velvet and Space NK Beauty. There are lots of smaller independents too including Fromage & French, a cheese and wine shrine and Le Petit Jardin interiors shop located just down the road in Chapel Place. And if you’re after a piece of designer kitchen action then you’ve come to the right place thanks to big players such as Tom Howley, Martin Moore and Leicht all trading here with other bespoke brands Woodwork and David Haugh located just outside the town centre. Add to the mix the lively array of specialist market traders who visit the bimonthly Pantiles markets with their locally sourced and artisan products which range from gin to vintage fabrics and There were 162 art deco jewellery and business start-ups you certainly have an appealing range of in the past quarter shopping experiences to choose from.

FACT

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ou might be after designer labels, a high street bargain or want to source some innovative or unique buys and the great thing is you’ll find these and so much more in Tunbridge Wells thanks to its rich and diverse mix of retail offerings. In short you have pretty much everything you need on your doorstep. Alongside the large selection of national brands including Marks and Spencer, The White Company, Topshop, Monsoon and Next there are also lots of independent retailers to seek out too. Most of the former you will find in Royal Victoria Place, which is due to undergo an exciting expansion over the next couple of years thanks to the fact that it has been sold by Hermes to British Land for £96million. News of the sale, announced in March, has boosted confidence in the town with Council Leader David Jukes commenting: “British Land are far and away the best people we can think of to resurrect the centre and I am hopeful they will not only take on the RVP but also take on some of the surrounding and adjoining properties so they make the whole area bigger which would give bigger floor areas for major stores to come in.” For those after a bespoke shopping experience then Tunbridge Wells doesn’t disappoint either. There is plenty to offer the fashionista, home lover and beauty fan

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05/04/2018 12:25

SHOPPING

HIGH STREET

VS

ONLINE

According to RTW Together town centres across the UK have spent the last decade adjusting to online shopping. Where people once researched their purchases instore, they now routinely do this online. An ever growing number of people now research and shop online - 56% of electronic and computer equipment in the UK is now purchased online. The market share of online shopping continues to grow year on year. These massive behavioural changes take time to filter through and effect change. Royal Tunbridge Wells is not immune to this change, trading conditions are challenging but our hospitality and leisure sectors are thriving and our independent sector is strong. Durlings, one of the town’s commercial agents has said “The Tunbridge Wells retail market is notoriously resilient“.

HOW AND WHERE WE SHOP IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS Royal Tunbridge Wells Together monitor the types of businesses operating from retail space in the town centre. Food and Drink remains the dominant sector with Health & Beauty and Fashion categories close behind. Here are their most recent findings . . . CHARTITY

22

TECHNOLOGY & GAMING

20

JEWELLERS

15

FASHION

66

SUPERMARKETS & CONVENIENCE STORE 14

STATIONERY & CARDS

11

FOOD & DRINK

127

SPECIALITY & OTHER

70

HEALTH & BEAUTY

76

ESTATE AGENTS

70

HOME & FURNISHING

52

PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES 27

DEPARTMENT STORE

10

TRAVEL & TOURISM

INDEPENDENT

VS

7

CHAINS

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The independent retailers and businesses that operate in Tunbridge Wells are one of the town’s unique selling points. We have stores that can’t be found on every high street or in large shopping malls and are fortunate that there are a number of small units scattered about the town namely in the High Street, Pantiles and Camden Road, which also acts as a suitable location for new business start-ups.

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SHOPPING

WILDFOX

SAMSOE & SAMSOE

MAISON LABICHE

BELLA FREUD

Founded in the 1980s, Maison Scotch takes inspiration from and celebrates classic French style by adding a touch of street-wear elements such as stripes on cuffs and graphic slogans. Every piece is designed at their Canal-side studio in a former church in the heart of Amsterdam. Maison Scotch is the perfect blend of Parisian chic meets New York City girl and each item has a little edge to make just enough of a statement, without looking like you’ve tried too hard. Available from Fenwick Tunbridge Wells www.fenwick.co.uk

A contemporary women’s line designed in sunny L.A, drawing inspiration from ‘70s icons, cult teen movies and social media. The Los Angeles-based brand sees life through a rainbow-coloured cotton candy filter. From their signature cosy sweaters to sunglasses, Wildfox is the ultimate line for the stylish set, and they’ve become a favourite among A-list celebrities and international influencers. The line has grown to include a full range of ready to wear items as well as viral capsule collections with global brands such as Coca-Cola and Mattel. Available at Kitch, Tunbridge Wells www.kitchclothing.co.uk

Established in 1993, Samsoe & Samsoe create the quintessential look that takes you from office to event and from week to weekend. They marry versatile and contemporary capsule pieces with softly tailored separates and chic signature styles, and the collections are uncompromisingly Scandinavian. Premium fabrics, functional and playful details, and iconic silhouettes imbue the label’s collections with a subtle, personal and sophisticated approach to dressing by transcending trends and drawing on Denmark’s renowned design tradition to result in minimalist, affordable and accessible fashion with a clear Nordic look. Available at Hoopers Tunbridge Wells www.hoopers.co.uk

Maison LaBiche was founded by a group of young Parisian creatives in 2010 and has become something of an Instagram sensation of late. They aim to create a collection of classic basics ranging from dresses, t shirts, sweatshirts and more that are rich in detailing of the highest quality. Every piece is handmade in their atelier, with a focus on embroidery and discreet playful messages. Comfy and chic, they encapsulate the playful Parisian ethos and give wardrobe staples a little je ne sais quoi. Available at Bod & Ted, Tunbridge Wells www.bodandted.co.uk

Famous for her instantly recognisable slogan knitwear, Bella Freud’s signature 100% merino wool jumpers are emblazoned with playful pop culture references from the past and present and have garnered a cult following amongst the world’s most stylish including Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke and many more. Freud also has a continuing collaboration with heritage sportswear brand Fred Perry as part of their Blank Canvas project. Available at The Changing Room, Tunbridge Wells www.farfetch.com/ uk/shopping/women/ changing-room

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MAISON SCOTCH

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SHOPPING

BELLA FREUD

MAISON LABICHE

Royalty in navy blue,

Bonjour sweatshirt in grey,

£350 from The Changing Room

£90 from Bod&Ted

MAISON SCOTCH Detailed cuff leather biker jacket in black, £399.95 from Fenwick

Want to look super stylish but not have to trek too far for spring’s must have pieces? Then you’re in luck as these fashion essentials are all available locally says Lauren Towner

RIVER ISLAND Black leather watch,

SAMSOE & SAMSOE Kimberly dress,

£125 from Kitch Tunbridge Wells

£32, from River Island

£149.95 from Hoopers Tunbridge Wells

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WILDFOX Twinkle sommers sweater in black,

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05/04/2018 12:26

ADVERTISING FEATURE

RUNNING A GLOBAL FASHION COMPANY LOCALLY IS SIMPLY CHILD’S PLAY FOR THIS AWARD WINNING DIRECTIONAL BUSINESS Tunbridge Wells is home to Childrensalon a clothing retailer established over 60 years ago. Boasting a global clientele it is also the second biggest employer in the town and a real success story

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hildrensalon is a family-run business and still independently owned. In 2017 it won several awards including: Kent’s Employer of the Year, Drapers International Fashion Retailer of the Year and Private Business Woman of the Year for CEO Michele Harriman Smith. Viewpoint speaks to the first lady of children’s fashion to find out the secret of her success.

What made you decide to go into this particular area of retail? My mother’s motivation was dressing children beautifully, and that is something we still follow now. I was one of six children and she made sure we were always well dressed, receiving compliments all around town. That’s how the shop idea came about. The boutique launched selling beautiful, own-brand, handmade dresses, smocks and boys suits

and it then evolved into the multi-brand retailer which is Childrensalon today. How has the trading landscape changed over the years? Much has changed in the industry since we opened the shop and we launched the online business in 1999; it has ultimately always been about having fun and being passionate about what we do. Commercial success came second, and when it came, we tried to be prepared. We constantly invested in customer service, logistics, technology and are regularly improving the user journey to make sure the customer’s experience is as seamless as possible.

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When did you start Childrensalon? It was originally founded in 1952 by my mother Sybil Harriman as a childrenswear boutique in central Tunbridge Wells. It flourished as a boutique on the High Street exclusively, until 1999 when myself and

my husband George decided to take the business online. Now, Childrensalon.com is the world’s largest luxury childrenswear retailer online, employing over 300 people.

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ADVERTORIAL Why did you decide to operate your business from Tunbridge Wells? It is where Childrensalon was first conceived; it holds immense sentimental value to us and represents the Childrensalon’s essence at its best. Tunbridge Wells is our HQ; all of our online business operations are run in-house with a team of over 300. We couldn’t really imagine being based anywhere else. What are the key benefits in being based here? Tunbridge Wells is our home. We are still a family-run company, with 10 members of the founding family still working in the company, completely integrated, alongside a growing team of over 300 employees. Despite Childrensalon’s rapid expansion, we remain true to our heritage and values and being based in Tunbridge Wells has undoubtedly made that possible. Can you explain how you have seen your business grow to become one of the country’s most successful online retailers? We’ve always been passionate about sourcing the best brands for our little customers all over the world; it’s what we do best and we couldn’t imagine having the same satisfaction by doing anything else. Children’s fashion has risen exponentially in the last few years. This translates into a massive increase of luxurious childrenswear collections on the market and a rise in interest towards this specific sector. What is the business ethic that drives you? I believe one of our brand values - ‘learn and progress’- is behind our rolling success. We are constantly challenging ourselves by continuously improving how we work together to offer the best possible shopping experience for our customers. This means investing in new warehousing and head office space as well as hiring new talent and keeping up to date with the latest technology. Our customers trust us,

and they know that we will always offer the best brands with the most personal service. As a result of your success you are the town’s second biggest employer, what responsibilities come along with that and do you recruit from further afield? I like to think of supporting the community more as a privilege rather than a responsibility. Childrensalon is committed to helping those in need too. We have numerous policies and strategies in place to support both. Childrensalon is the biggest supporter of Nourish Foodbank in Tunbridge Wells, and we also work with many local organisations that help both the homeless and vulnerable groups of people such as Porchlight, The Look Ahead Foundation, The Winter Shelter, and Rethink Mental Illness. We work with

“

IT HAS ULTIMATELY ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT HAVING FUN AND BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO

“

the Tunbridge Wells Outreach team and personally hellp them to get homeless people off the street and into both permanent accommodation and jobs. This year alone we have helped over 10 people out of homelessness in Tunbridge Wells with Porchlight and Look Ahead, providing money for accommodation, clothes, computers, translators and anything they will need to transition. We also work with Rethink Mental Illness, partnering with Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to support the Syrian refugee families that have been taken in by the county in the last few years.

What are your best-selling items and why? For us Kenzo, Armani, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana are always good sellers, alongside more entry price point brands including Patachou, Billieblush and IKKS. Additionally, we constantly invest in new up-and-coming brands which our buying team come across when travelling to national and international trade shows. How do you market yourselves both here in the UK and abroad? Childrensalon grew organically through wordof-mouth, which is the most genuine type of marketing. We did not have a marketing department until 2015 and in this time we have added team members to help us grow through social media, PR, user experience, search engine optimisation, editorial and acquisition. All of these departments have helped us to better penetrate the market and gain recognition within the industry. In order to diversify our marketing approach in the different territories, we have added trusted third parties in key areas of the world to help us keep our finger on the pulse there. And finally, what are your hopes for 2018? This year Childrensalon’s focus will be on maintaining our position as leader in key markets and expanding into others, however continuing to provide the same high levels of customer service we always do will be the most important thing. We will also be looking at ways to maximise efficiency throughout the company as well as expanding our warehouse space so that growth happens as smoothly as possible over the next few years. And we will continue to invest in training our current team as promoting from within is so important to us.

CHILDRENSALON IN NUMBERS f32 languages spoken in the

to www.childrensalon.com

Customer Service team

f280+ brands stocked

f300+ staff

f160 countries shipped

f10 original family members

to worldwide

still working at Childrensalon

f365 days a year you can chat

f£80m turnover reached

to our Customer Service team

in 2017

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f1.9m unique monthly visitors

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05/04/2018 12:27

n o i t a c u d e n, o i t a c u d e , Education Tunbridge Wells is renowned for its excellent schools. And whether you are searching for an independent, a grammar or non-selective one you will find the perfect educational environment for your child to learn in. Here Kent County Council’s Roger Gough, cabinet minister for Children, Young People and Education explains the merits of the town’s outstanding offering of schools

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School at Knights Wood). In the next Girls’ Grammar School, Tunbridge few years there should be sufficient Wells Grammar School for Boys and primary places across the borough, The Skinners’ School); a Church of even in some areas of localised England school (Bennett Memorial); and pressure where there are significant a Catholic school (St Gregory’s). All are housing developments such as rated Good or Outstanding. Paddock Wood, where the government Sixth form provision in the town is has approved a primary free school. also strong, while for those taking Secondary school numbers, however, the Further Education College route, are rising sharply as growing numbers there is West Kent College in nearby of children move on from their primary Tonbridge. The town also has two education. We have agreed expansion Special Schools, Oakley and Broomhill plans with a number of existing schools Bank, and both are rated Good. over the next couple of years, and plan If there is a downside to this very to bring forward further significant positive picture, it is that, in a system proposals for 2020-21 in the near future. that rightly gives great weight to parental preference, there can be strong demand for places at popular schools, with some heavily oversubscribed. This In last summer’s can be exacerbated by rising school GCSEs, our schools were populations and housing growth. Even in a highly diverse school system of well above the Kent and national Multi Academy Trusts, academies averages on the government’s favoured and free schools, the County performance measure of Progress 8 (which Council retains the responsibility takes a student’s outcomes across a set of 8 to ensure that there are sufficient subjects - spread between English and Maths, school places, and we work with other traditional academic subjects, and other schools of all types, as well as approved qualifications - and compares the with Tunbridge Wells Borough student’s overall progress with those of Council, to deliver this. other students coming from the same In recent years, there has been performance level at significant expansion of primary Key Stage schools (for example, the establishment of the new Skinners’ Kent Primary

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ent as a whole has a very diverse education system, and Tunbridge Wells is no exception. Tunbridge Wells schools also can demonstrate some of the strongest outcomes across the county. There are some 33 primary schools across the borough, of which 20 are within Tunbridge Wells town and the surrounding areas such as Southborough and Pembury. These are a combination of community schools, church schools, academies and free schools. Almost 94% of the borough’s primary schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, which is above even the Kent average, which has itself seen spectacular improvement in recent years. Almost all the indicators of primary school outcomes at Key Stage 1 (the end of Year 2, 6-7 year old children) are at the top end of the range within the county. Similarly at Key Stage 2 (the end of primary school at Year 6), 69.7% of children in the borough achieved the Expected Standard in Reading, Writing and Maths – more than five percentage points above the county average and almost nine points above the national average. There are nine secondary schools in the borough, with 89% rated Good or Outstanding. In the town itself, there is the all ability Skinner’s Kent Academy; three grammar schools (Tunbridge Wells

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EDUCATION How the new secondary school scoring system works… A numerical scale has replaced the old grading system, with scores from 1 to 9 substituting grades G to A*. In the new order, a score of 5 is a ‘similar level of achievement to a high grade C or a low B’ according to The Department of Education [DfE]. Progress 8 scores are based on the results of eight qualifications achieved at GCSE level. SCHOOL NAME

PROGRESS

ATTAINMENT

GRADE 5 OR

8 SCORE & DESCRIPTION

8 SCORE

ABOVE IN ENGLISH AND MATHS GCSES

Tonbridge Grammar School

0.89 [Well above average]

77.9

99%

Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School

0.89 [Well above average]

72.1

96%

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

0.76 [Well above average]

57.3

65%

The Judd School

0.52 [Well above average]

76.6

98%

Weald of Kent Grammar School

0.52 [Well above average]

67.9

95%

St Gregory’s Catholic School

0.4 [Above average]

49.8

55%

The Skinners’ School

0.32 [Above average]

71.5

76%

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

0.18 [Average]

63.3

90%

Hillview School for Girls

0.11 [Average]

44.6

43%

Skinners’ Kent Academy

0.11 [Average]

39.8

31%

Uplands Community College

0.08 [Average]

47.9

31%

Mascalls Academy

0.07 [Average]

45.6

39%

The Hayesbrook School

-0.12 [Average]

43.8

39%

[LOWCOV]*

63.1

67%

Cranbrook School

UNIVERSITY

*Low coverage- less than 50% of pupils included in calculation.

Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School

The Skinners’ School

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

Skinners’ Kent Academy

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

Tunbridge Wells is top of the class when it comes to the number of school leavers aged 18 entering university, according to new data released this week by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). The figures are drawn from the 17 parliamentary constituencies across Kent and show that in Tunbridge Wells almost 43 per cent of students went on to university last year, an increase of 9 per cent compared to 2016. This puts the borough at the head of county league tables with Sevenoaks next at 42 per cent which is an 8 per cent rise. Third spot goes to Tonbridge & Malling on 40 per cent although the borough has one of the biggest year on year rises of 10 per cent. Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark commented: “Tunbridge Wells has an excellent choice of schools - all ability, grammar, church and independent. It’s great that so many are going on to university and a testimony to all the heads, teaching and support staff that encourage pupils to aim high.”

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St Gregory’s Catholic School

TUNBRIDGE WELLS GETS FULL MARKS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

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05/04/2018 12:30

CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Once again Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is holding its Love Where We Live Awards which commend those clubs and individuals who make a difference in our town

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The awards open for nomination this year include Charity of the Year, Best Group and Individual Hero. For younger members of the community there is the Young Sports Achiever of the Year award for those aged 16 and under, and the Young Volunteer of the Year award for those aged 24 and under. The winner of the eighth award, the Love Where We Live Award, will be chosen by a panel of judges as the overall winner from the other seven categories. Last year it was the younger generation who really shone at the awards ceremony, with a local Scout Group winning the

Best Group category and a nine year old gymnast taking home the Young Sports Achiever trophy. In addition, the winner of the Young Volunteer of the Year award was crowned the overall Love Where We Live winner for his IT volunteer work, giving his time and expertise to help others find their way through the ever changing world of social media and computer advancement. Whose turn will it be to shine in 2018? The online nomination form will be available on the Council’s website from early May, so start thinking now about who deserves your nomination this year!

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he Council’s popular, annual community awards will open for nominations in May. Once again there will be seven categories to choose from, recognising those clubs, groups, businesses, charities and individuals who help make the borough of Tunbridge Wells a great place to live and work. The Love Where We Live Awards have been held annually for the last five years, and they are an opportunity to celebrate those in the local community who are dedicated to helping others, benefiting the environment, or accomplishing personal goals.

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WINNERS BEST GROUP - the 19th Royal Tunbridge Wells St Matthew’s Scout Group, pictured receiving their award from the Mayor, Cllr Julie Soyke.

A FLORAL TRIBUTE

The popular Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom competition returns again for 2018. And it is going to be a very busy time following last year’s successful win of the large town category in the South and South East in Bloom competition…

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OVERALL WINNER - Alexander Runting, who also won the Young Volunteer of the Year category, pictured receiving his Love Where We Live Award from the Leader of the Council, Cllr David Jukes.

unbridge Wells now goes forward to the large town category in the national Britain in Bloom competition and judging takes place between July 30 and August 10. Tunbridge Wells will also be judged for South and South East in Bloom as usual in early July. You can contribute to the success of the town’s national entry by taking part in the local Bloom competition, volunteering in the parks, participating in the Open Gardens scheme or sponsoring a flower planter or a basket for the town. ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS IN BLOOM COMPETITION This year’s in Bloom campaign launches with an event in Calverley Precinct in the town centre on Friday and Saturday April 13 and 14. It’s a not to be missed occasion as there’ll be plants and seeds to take away plus the chance to get some top tips and advice from one of the competition’s sponsor’s, Coolings Garden Centre.

Residents, businesses, community groups and schools across the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells are all eligible to enter the local competition. OPEN GARDENS WITH THE HOSPICE IN THE WEALD Last year Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom teamed up with Hospice in the Weald and helped to launch the first Open Gardens scheme in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Keen horticulturalists opened their garden gates and gave people unique access to some of the town’s most delightful gardens, raising the fantastic sum of over £2,000 for both the Hospice and the Bloom campaigns. Why not mark June 17, the date for this year’s Open Gardens, in your diary now and look out for more information nearer the time. Details on how you can open your garden can be found at royaltunbridgewellsinbloom.org.uk or hospiceintheweald.org.uk

YOUNG SPORTS ACHIEVER AWARD - 9 year old Harley CurtisLawrence, pictured receiving his award from Anthony Whitehorn, President of the King Charles’ School Old Boys’ Association.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

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For businesses looking to build their profile in the town, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom may be just the thing with the opportunity to sponsor flower baskets, planters or plants for the beautiful green spaces and parks in the town. Contact the organisers through royaltunbridgewellsinbloom.org.uk for further details.

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THIS

SPORTING LIFE

Not only is Tunbridge Wells a great place to live if you’re looking for a cool cultural offering, excellent educational establishments and wonderful dining and retail options it’s also got a fantastic array of sports to get stuck into – no matter what your age. Three of the popular clubs tell Viewpoint a little bit about themselves

BE A PART OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME By Phill Allcorn, Secretary of the Tunbridge Wells Football Club

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enior football has been played in Tunbridge Wells since 1886, although our club has had different names with ten grounds being used around the town, right through to the present Culverden Stadium. In its heyday Tunbridge Wells played regularly in front of four-figure crowds and were a significant force in non-league football. In 1954-55 the club

progressed to the FA Cup first round before being comprehensively beaten by Brighton. The club collapsed at the end of the 1966-67 season and it was left to the determination of supporters to see the present day club formed. They entered the Kent Premier League and by the next year the team finished as Kent League runners up. The Wells won the Kent League championship in 1985 and have also won the Kent League Cup four times since the club’s reformation. In the 2012-2013 season we won the Kent Senior Trophy, the first for 25 years, and as we’re

sure many of you would fondly remember in 2013, reached the final of the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium where around 11,500 Tunbridge Wells residents vacated the town to follow us. We would love to see you all at a game sometime soon and are very much a family friendly club with strong links with local schools. ‘Come On You Wells!’ If you’d like to find out more about Tunbridge Wells FC then please visit them at their website (www.tunbridgewellsfc.com) There are also plenty of football clubs in the town offering youth training. They include Foresters FC

(www.forestersfc.com) Rusthall FC (www.rusthallfc.com) Langton Green (www.langtongreencsa.org.uk) and The Ridgeway in Southborough (www.tunbridgewellsyouth.com)

CELEBRATING AWARD WINNING RUGBY SINCE 1931 By Roger Clarke, President of the Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club

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occupies to this day, and played there up until the start of the Second World War when rugby was suspended for the duration, recommencing in 1947. During the late 1970s and early 1980s it became increasingly difficult to run a purely ‘old boys’ side and so the decision was made to go ‘open’ and by the mid 1980s the Club became Tunbridge Wells RFC.

It also saw the 1st XV enter the Rugby Football Union (RFU) League system which it has played in ever since. This period and into the 1990s also saw the club acquire land to build four pitches and install a floodlit playing area courtesy of funding from lottery funding, the RFU and a loan from the Kent Playing Fields Association. This development was

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lthough there is evidence that there was some form of rugby club in the town in the early 1900s an official one was not formed until 1931. This was the Old Boys side of the Skinners’ School and was called Old Skinners’. This club based itself at St Marks recreation ground, just off the Frant Road, a site it still

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SPORTS

CRICKET’S JUST THE TICKET By Mark Williams, Chairman of Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club

followed in 2010 with the addition of new changing rooms, physio facilities, a gym and officials’ changing room funded by the RFU and the club. In 2016 new drainage was added for the training area and the 1st Xv pitch funded equally by the RFU, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells RFC.

WINNING WAYS Rugby became more successful with the 1st XV promoted twice in two seasons, 2015/16 and 2016/17 to RFU London Premier (RFU Level 5) and winning the National Intermediate Cup 2015/16 and being awarded National Men’s team of the year. In addition the club runs three other senior sides plus a veterans team and a hugely successful mini and junior section with over 650 players registered from Under 6 to Under 17. There is now a successful academy which aims to improve individual skills and

a growing girls section from Under 13 to U17. As a result of this the club became a Limited Company (TWRFC Ltd) in late 2014 and the old combined Sports Club was disbanded. As the club goes up the leagues it becomes more difficult ‘to produce your own’ but on most Saturdays this season the Wells’ first team have had eight or nine players who have come through the junior set up. Current skipper Chas Spence and vice skippers Mike Hathaway and Nick Doherty being amongst them. The future objectives of the club include the provision of an artificial grass pitch (AGP) and further drainage work as the current space is now insufficient to support training for all of our junior sides some of which are using the Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys’ AGP. Season 2017/18 has seen the First XV continue its success having won a play-off against Chingford at the end of last season and it is now playing the highest level of rugby the club has ever achieved. As this is written, Tunbridge Wells RFC occupy sixth place in RFU London and South East premier division meaning the club are currently the fifth most successful out of 67 in Kent.

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unbridge Wells Cricket Club (TWCC) is one of the leading clubs in Kent, and has been based at the iconic Nevill Ground for over a century. The venue, which has hosted a World Cup Match, and Kent County games every year since 1902, has become one of the top attractions countywide. The Club has modernised the facilities to include state-of-the-art outdoor 4-lane practise nets whilst maintaining the historical Kentish charm of the ground. TWCC is an English Cricket Board accredited club which is welcoming to everyone. Over recent years we have had some notable accomplishments, with the majority of players having come through our vibrant youth section. There are four main adult league XIs, open to all, as well as a highly successful ladies league side. Recent successes have included the celebrated U15 National Cup Win in 2007, the first XI reaching the Sky televised finals of the National T20 KO Cup in 2016, while the second XI won the KL Premier Championship last summer. The club is very ambitious to add to these achievements and the future looks bright… In essence, we are a family club which is at the heart of our community, serving all of its cricketing needs whilst supplying an enchanting ground from which to view top local or first class cricket. The ground’s renowned rhododendrons can be seen at their amethyst best in late May of each season, epitomising a spirit of time past as well as future for this wonderful English game. New adult members, or anyone wishing to discuss sponsorship, please contact the Chairman via our website www.tunbridgewellscc.org.uk In addition to the Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club at the Nevill Ground there are also a variety of other local clubs which encourage play for both boys and girls from a young age. They include Borderers (www.twbcc.or) and also Linden Park (www.lindenpark.play-cricket.com) for further information.

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If you are interested in playing the full game, touch or Sevens or just fancy coming to watch a game or have lunch please contact the Club Secretary Michelle Greenall on michellegreenall@yahoo.co.uk or visit our website www.twrfc.com

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ADVERTORIAL

CAPITALISING ON THE COMMERCIAL STRENGTHS OF ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS Karen Pengelly is the Town Centre Manager at Royal Tunbridge Wells Together. She tells Viewpoint what its key goals are and how it achieves them to ensure the town remains at the forefront of business and enhances its overall appeal to residents and visitors

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Corn Exchange will become a centre for small businesses and start-ups looking for flexible office space and Royal Victoria Place will be redeveloped to offer visitors far greater leisure options to tie in with their shopping trips. Even Scallywag, the café bar on Mount Ephraim is now offering flexible workspaces for remote and freelance workers.

CAPITALISE To underpin and capitalise on these changes, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together will start a consultation with the local business community this spring. A large sample of town centre businesses will be asked to articulate their vision for the future of Tunbridge Wells. Royal Tunbridge Wells Together wants to know what works for them, what they need support or assistance with, what they think would have a positive impact on business and how the support they need should be delivered. Doing this job, I meet scores of local businesses; they are all passionate about how lovely our town is and how much they and their staff enjoy working here. Business models and ways of working are all undergoing radical changes at the moment and it’s important that businesses have a stake in the future of the town centre. They need to know they can recruit staff, welcome visitors and continue to work in such a lovely town. Royal Tunbridge Wells Together has recently published a list of achievements for 2017 and priority areas that they will concentrate on in 2018. Two of the initiatives worked on in 2017 were, firstly, the new town map, hand drawn and created

RTWT PROMOTES A CONNECTED TOWN ■ Liaised with businesses to promote their vacancies at West Kent Partnership Jobs fair ■ Attended Excursions Tourism show, representing Tunbridge Wells businesses ■ Station Mural project – judging, office space and grant funding provided ■ Grant funded town centre events e.g. Lantern Parade, Puppetry Festival, BelgianWeek, Local & Live – working with Cultural Consortia on 2018 season events

by local artist, Elaine Gill (pictured below). It is now available from several locations; the Tourist Information Centre, and many other businesses throughout the town, free of charge. Secondly, in the run up to Christmas to promote our excellent local retailers, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together launched a Christmas Gift Guide which 47 local business participated in. It was heavily promoted and reproduced in local press and lifestyle magazines, all around the theme of ‘support local’, an ongoing theme for Royal Tunbridge Wells Together. To learn more about Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, go to www.tunbridgewellstogether.co.uk or call them on 01892 531985

RTW MAP OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS BY ELAINE GILL

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oyal Tunbridge Wells Together is a Community Interest Company, formed in 2016. It is funded by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and a number of Tunbridge Wells based businesses including AXA PPP, Cripps, Berkeley Homes, Dandara, Markerstudy, Fenwick, Royal Victoria Place, G Collins & Sons and Thomson Snell & Passmore. With a growing business membership, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together is looking to the future and working alongside Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, ensuring that Royal Tunbridge Wells is a forward-thinking town that acts as a busy regional hub, with a thriving business community and a vibrant and attractive town centre. Royal Tunbridge Wells is a centre for professional services and financial businesses with a strong supply chain of design and creative industries – in fact, 34.9% of Tunbridge Wells workers were identified as being employed in the knowledge based economy in 2016, compared to 22% across the south east as a whole or just 19.8% in the rest of the UK. This is an important indicator of the many high skilled jobs that are available in Tunbridge Wells. With around £500 million of inward investment expected over the next five years, Royal Tunbridge Wells is undergoing an exciting evolution to meet the needs of residents, visitors and businesses. A new Cultural and Learning Hub will be built, The

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