Happy Monday, Tunbridge Wells!

Spring is in full swing and there's plenty keeping the town buzzing this week. The borough council's eye-catching plan to borrow £68 million to revamp Royal Victoria Place is set to dominate the run-up to local elections on 7th May - expect fireworks.

On a lighter note, a trampoline park is coming to North Farm Road, bringing up to 60 new jobs with it. If you're looking for something to do this week, catch the Bob Marley tribute at the Assembly Hall on Thursday, or head to Hever Castle for the Celebration of Spring before it wraps up on Sunday.

Let's get into it.

WEATHER

Monday: 9°C 🌡️ 19°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 8°C 🌡️ 17°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 5°C 🌡️ 14°C | 🌧️

THE BRIEF

💸 £68m Council Borrowing Plan

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Tunbridge Wells Borough Council wants to borrow £68 million to rebuild part of the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre. The Liberal Democrat administration plans a boutique cinema and new shops on the corner of Camden Road and Calverley Road. The project would add £5 million a year in debt costs to the council's existing £20 million budget.

Politicians from several parties have pushed back. A Conservative councillor called for more scrutiny. A Tunbridge Wells Alliance candidate said existing buildings could be restored for far less. An Independent councillor called the plans "a ridiculous construct" and said the council had not learned from the failed Calverley Square project.

The Liberal Democrat deputy leader said the spend was needed to attract people to the town centre, with a focus on venues for young people. The plans are set to be a key issue in the local elections on 7th May. Read more here.

💪 David Lloyd Plans: Major gym chain David Lloyd Leisure has submitted a planning application to extend and change the use of Colebrooke House. The Tunbridge Wells development covers the entire 21-acre site. It includes three outdoor tennis courts inside an enclosed air dome, six outdoor padel courts, a multi-use court, and a battle box facility for outdoor group fitness.

There would also be a five-lane 20-metre indoor swimming pool and a four-lane 25-metre outdoor pool. The health and fitness facilities would feature a gym with 120 to 140 stations, five studios, and a children's soft play area. An internal and external spa with saunas and steam rooms, a business hub, and a lounge terrace are also proposed. Read more here.

📺 Reality TV Crew In Town: A camera crew filmed scenes for The Real Housewives of Cheshire at The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. From 7.30pm, cast members were seen in The Upper Walk outside The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, wearing glamorous dresses alongside cardboard cutouts of themselves.

The show is the longest-running international version of the globally popular Real Housewives franchise, which now has over 30 versions worldwide. Series 19, which launched on 21st April, has already surpassed 100 million streams on ITVX. Series 20 is set to follow later in the year. Read more here.​

⛹️ Trampoline Park: AirHop Trampoline Park Set to Open in Tunbridge Wells Trampoline park operator AirHop UK has signed a 15-year lease on a 30,000 sq ft unit on North Farm Road. The site on Chapman Way was previously a printing factory and has been fully refurbished. AirHop will offer trampolines, obstacle courses and interactive games for children and adults. The operator previously ran a site in nearby Tonbridge, which attracted up to 100,000 visitors a year before closing in 2021. Between 50 and 60 jobs are expected to be created. The site is expected to open spring 2026. Read more here.​

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

​KentRelief is a Kent-based humanitarian charity supporting communities affected by the war in Ukraine. Since 2022, they have delivered vital aid, including food, medical supplies and equipment, while also helping Ukrainian families settle in the UK. Their latest lorry of humanitarian aid departed on 25th April, continuing this essential work. The charity relies on community donations and volunteers to sustain its efforts and reach those most in need.

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THIS WEEK

Dr Louise Newson: Breaking the Cycle | Assembly Hall | Mon 27 Apr, 7:30pm | Empowering talk on hormones and women's health | From £33.75​

Hamnet (12A) | Trinity Theatre | Mon 27 Apr, 10:30am | Multi-award-winning Shakespeare drama; Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal | From £7.00​

Old Castle Tours | Scotney Castle | Mon 27 Apr – Sun 3 May, 11:00am | Rare behind-the-scenes guided tour of ancient ruined castle | See details​

Celebration of Spring 2026 | Hever Castle | Mon 27 Apr – Fri 1 May | Spectacular seasonal floral displays across castle and grounds | See details​

Life Through a Royal Lens | The Amelia | Mon 27 Apr – Sun 3 May | Ongoing photography exhibition; royalty through the lens | Free entry​

Our Own Exhibition – Archaeology | The Amelia | Mon 27 Apr – Sun 3 May | Local archaeology stories displayed by community members | Free entry​

NT Connections Festival 2026 – Day 5 | Trinity Theatre | Tue 28 Apr, 6:30pm | Double-bill youth theatre; climate crisis and exam anxiety | From £7.00​

Strange Lot + Kitchen Lover + Smile You S.O.B. | The Sussex Arms | Tue 28 Apr, 7:30pm | US psych-rock headliners plus two UK support acts | From £11.72​

Plant Your Own Vegetable Garden Workshop | Penshurst Place | Wed 29 Apr, 10:00am | Beginner workshop; now sold out — further dates coming | See details​

Legend – The Music of Bob Marley | Assembly Hall | Thu 30 Apr, 7:30pm | Sell-out West End reggae tribute; all the greatest hits | From £32.25​

Stable: Fred Kemp, King Reverend, Lip Out, The Ryk Mead Band | The Forum | Thu 30 Apr, 7:00pm | Four-act new music showcase; rock and blues | Free entry​

Old Mercia | The Forum | Fri 1 May, 7:30pm | Live indie folk music | See details​

A Celebration of Rage Against The Machine – Nic Cage Against The Machine | The Forum | Sat 2 May, 7:30pm | Full tribute set of RATM's iconic back catalogue | See details​

Celebration of Spring 2026 | Hever Castle | Sat 2 May – Sun 3 May | Final weekend of the spring floral festival at Hever | See details​

Table Tennis | Sunnyside Hall | Mon & Sun | Play table tennis every week (1st session is free) | £4​

Badminton & Pickleball | Sunnyside Hall | Fri, 6pm | Play badminton & pickleball every week (1st session is free) | £5​

FURTHER OUT

RTWSO Annual Quiz Night | Jubilee Theatre, Langton Green | Fri 15 May, 7:30pm | Annual orchestra quiz night, up to 8 per team | From £10.00​

TWODS - Evita | Assembly Hall | Tue 26 May to Sat 30 May, 7:30pm | Lloyd Webber & Rice's iconic musical, Eva Perón's story | From £25.00​

May Day Weekend 2026 | Hever Castle | Sat 2 May – Mon 4 May | Bank holiday living history and activities in stunning grounds | See details​

TW Literary Festival @ The Amelia Scott | The Amelia | Tue 5 May – Fri 8 May | Author talks, spoken word and literary events across four days | See details​

Meadow of Memories at Scotney Castle | Scotney Castle | Sat 2 May – Sun 17 May, 10:00am | Beautiful steel daisy installation by Hospice in the Weald | Free entry​

Imagine the Beatles – Live at the Orangery | Chiddingstone Castle | Sun 17 May | Outdoor picnic concert; Beatles tribute on the Orangery lawn | See details​

Bewl Water Triathlon | Bewl Water | Sun 24 May | Swim, cycle and run in one of the South East's most scenic spots | See details​

SPORT

Results

⚽ 21 Apr Snodland Town 0–2 Rusthall FC SCEFL Prem [W]

⚽ 25 Apr Fisher 5–0 Tunbridge Wells FC SCEFL Prem [L]

⚽ 25 Apr Holmesdale 0–3 Rusthall FC SCEFL Prem [W]

Fixtures

⚽ ~29 Apr Rusthall FC vs Larkfield & New Hythe SCEFL Prem Play-Off SF

THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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