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This week: the fallout from the water outage continues, with local hospitality businesses estimated to have lost £7–8 million in revenue, and MPs now calling South East Water’s boss to give evidence. We also cover the newly approved Local Plan, locking in 4,500 homes across the borough despite ongoing controversy.

On the festive front, lace up for Skate at Calverley Grounds, enjoy classic Christmas chaos with Sleeping Beauty at the Assembly Hall, or plan ahead for family favourites like The Nutcracker. Plus, ways to support local independents as they recover.

WEATHER

Monday: 9°C 🌡️ 11°C | ☁️

Tuesday: 3°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌧️

Wednesday: 8°C 🌡️ 9°C | 🌫️

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Tunbridge Wells Needs You - Give a Coffee, Lift a Business

Our independent cafés, pubs, restaurants and food shops were hit hard by the recent water outage. Days of forced closure, low pressure and boil-water orders have wiped out what should have been their strongest trading week of the year - with many losing five figures in revenue.

For the family-run places we love, this isn’t just a setback. It’s existential.

That’s why we’re asking you to give a coffee - just £2 - to help them recover. Every penny goes directly to affected businesses to cover lost income, replace spoiled stock and support staff.

A tiny gift from you. A lifeline for them.

​Let’s stand together and help our independents enter the festive season with hope, not worry.​

THE BRIEF

🏚️ Housing Impact: TWBC has published The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. It covers 21 proposed housing sites in the High Weald AONB. It finds almost all sites are highly sensitive, with development likely to harm landscape character unless scale is reduced or schemes dropped entirely. One Cranbrook site is ruled out, while others face sharp cuts. The report sits against a wider housing shortage, creating tension between national conservation duties and economic need.

♨️ Boil Notice Lifted: The boil water notice for 24,000 homes in Kent and East Sussex has been lifted. Tunbridge Wells and nearby areas lost supply from 30th November, with most water restored by 4th December. South East Water says tap water is now safe to drink without boiling after changes to treatment, network flushing, and testing. The issue began at Pembury Water Treatment Works after a disinfection problem and a sudden change in the raw water’s natural make-up. Customers and businesses will be compensated. Read more here.

💸 £8m Lost: Hospitality firms in Tunbridge Wells may have lost £7m to £8m during the water disruption, according to the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. Some venues reported heavy losses, and there were fears customers would stay away even after restrictions ended. MPs have called South East Water’s boss to give evidence on 6th January. The company says it will compensate customers and businesses fairly, but concerns remain about gaps for zero-hours workers. Read more here.

💒 Church Expansion: Christ Church in Tunbridge Wells has submitted plans for a £5m redevelopment after eight years of preparation. Leaders say the congregation has outgrown the 1831 building, and basic repairs alone could cost £1.6m. The scheme would add 650sqm, doubling worship seating from 180 to 360 with a gallery and side chapel, plus reworked rooms for children, youth and offices. It also includes modern heating, lighting, toilets and step-free access. Parking would drop from 21 spaces to nine, alongside a new five-bedroom staff house. Read more here.

👷 Trickle of Houses: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has approved its Local Plan. It allocated 4,500 homes across the borough and avoided higher national housing targets due to long delays in the plan’s preparation. The decision locks in lower annual building requirements, despite government rules that would otherwise have raised them by 66%. The move proved controversial, with councillors warning of heavy impacts on Paddock Wood and rural areas, but arguing rejection would trigger worse outcomes. The plan passed after years of scrutiny and debate. Read more here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

🎁 Bring Christmas Magic to a Child in Need 🎄

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal has supported local children for over 30 years - last year alone helping 642 kids across our borough. From 12th Nov to 17th Dec, visit the Pop-Up Shop (Royal Victoria Place, top floor) to donate a new toy or gift for ages 1 month to 18 years. Or pick a tag from our Giving Tree and drop off at one of our collection points. Give joy. Change a Christmas.

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Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 5,000 friends?

ADVERTISE ON THE BOARD

THIS WEEK

Skate | Calverley Grounds | Mon to Sun | Go for a festive skate session - great for families, beginners, and friends | Details​

Sleeping Beauty | Assembly Hall | Mon to Sun | Panto vibes: duels, dragons, big laughs. Book soon before it’s gone | £29+​

Nativity! The Musical | Trinity Theatre | Mon to Sun | Festive chaos, big laughs, catchy songs - perfect Christmas fun with kids | £15+​

Baby Broadway Christmas | Trinity Theatre | Mon, 11am | Festive singalong chaos for little ones - cute, lively, and totally parent-friendly | £8​

Beau Nash Jolly Jaunt Tour | Beau Nash Pub | Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat | Boozy funny walking tour; spot facts, spot lies, get roasted | £27​

Richard Durrant's Songs of the Solstice | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | Cosy, wintry folk-classical vibes - perfect gentle start to Christmas | £24​

White Christmas (1954) | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat, 6:30pm | Cosy classic Christmas film. Get festive and nostalgic together | £5​

The Last N.O.E.L. Mini Panto! | Penshurst Place | Thurs to Sun | Short, silly Christmas panto - perfect festive fun for little kids | £9​

Father Christmas Afternoon Tea | Chiddingstone Castle | Sat & Sun | Lovely, cosy Christmas treat - tea, crafts, and a proper Santa visit | £45​

The Fiery Lights | The Forum | Wed, 7pm | Alt-rock stories, big energy - great night if you fancy loud guitars | £10​

Back To The 00's (Day Party) | The Forum | Sun, 2pm | 00's bangers, daytime dancing - home early, nostalgia fully satisfied | £13.50​

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

A CK Gospel Christmas | Trinity Theatre | 22nd Dec | Joyful gospel Christmas -huge voices, big energy, impossible not to smile | £26​

The Nutcracker | Trinity Theatre | 29th Dec | Gentle, magical ballet - ideal first theatre trip for little ones | £19​

NYE: Baby Dave & Friends | The Forum | 31st Dec | Proper sweaty NYE gig - loud, cathartic, and way more fun than fireworks | £28​

F1: The Movie | Lamberhurst Community Cinema | 10th Jan, 7:30pm | High-octane F1 comeback drama - speed, rivalry, redemption, Brad Pitt | £6.20​

JOBS

• Retail Shift Manager | Lidl | More Info​
• Care Assistant | Westbank Care Home | More Info​
• Pharmacy Assistant | Paydens Tonbridge | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

(Use discount code TWLIFE30 for 30% off your first listing)

SPORT

⚽FOOTBALL

9th Dec:

• Erith & Belvedere 3 - 3 Tunbridge Wells (Pens 2 - 4)

13th Dec:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. Hythe Town (POSTPONED)
• Bearsted 2 - 1 Rusthall

17th Dec:

• Rusthall vs. Chessington & Hook Utd (Cup)

20th Dec:

• Fisher vs. Rusthall
• Tunbridge Wells vs. Faversham Strike Force

🏉 RUGBY

13th Dec:

• Wimbledon 35 - 47 Tunbridge Wells

20th Dec:

• Tunbridge Wells vs. CS Stags 1863

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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