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Good Morning! Primark opens its new 31,000 sq ft Tunbridge Wells store on 12th December, creating over 100 jobs, while St James Medical Centre will close its Carlton Road site, with patients moving to Grosvenor by 2026.

This week’s events include the RTWSO’s Fairy Tales & Golden Legends concert on 23rd November, a night of magical orchestral storytelling, and Ross Noble at the Assembly Hall on Friday, bringing his trademark chaotic comedy to town.

WEATHER

Monday: 2°C 🌡️ 8°C | ⛅

Tuesday: 1°C 🌡️ 6°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 1°C 🌡️ 6°C | 🌧️

SPONSORED BY KOSTINA ART

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Led by award-winning artist Valeriia Kostina, classes are designed for all levels and focus on creativity, connection, and mindfulness. You’ll leave with something beautiful you’ve made and memories that last.

Perfect for birthdays, hen parties, or team-building days, Kostina Art is where creativity and community meet.

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THE BRIEF

👚Primark Arrives: Primark is set to open its first Tunbridge Wells store on 12th December, taking over the old BHS site in Royal Victoria Place. The two-floor, 31,000 sq ft shop will offer fashion, homeware, beauty and more, and bring over 100 new jobs to the town. Click & Collect arrives two days earlier, letting customers order ahead of opening day. A buzz is already building as the team prepares to welcome shoppers. Read more from Elli Hodgson here.

🩺GP Closes: St James Medical Centre in Carlton Road will close after GPs said rising costs made running two sites “unsustainable”. Patients will move to Grosvenor Medical Centre, less than a mile away, with the merger planned for autumn 2026. Staff and appointment numbers will stay the same, and the practice has opened a six-month survey for feedback. The decision follows years of pressure on general practice and a previous flood at Grosvenor. Read more from Mary Harris here.

🪧TW Hotel For Sale: The Tunbridge Wells Hotel on the Pantiles has been put up for sale for £2.7m as its long-time owner prepares to retire. The Grade II-listed property offers 20 bedrooms, a bar and restaurant, a function room and extensive outdoor seating opposite the bandstand. Agents say its prime location and strong food and accommodation mix will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Read more from Eamonn Crowe here.

🏉184 New Homes: Tunbridge Wells RFC has applied to build 184 homes across its current St Marks site and nearby land off Bayham Road, while relocating to a much larger base at Chase Farm in Sussex. The move would deliver new rugby and cricket facilities, extra pitch capacity, a clubhouse, a cricket pavilion and five padel courts. The club says expansion has made its existing site inadequate and hopes relocation will ease parking pressures and secure its future. Read more from Charles Pring here.

🪖Asylum Meeting: Home Office officials will face residents at a packed public meeting after confirming plans to house 600 asylum-seeking men at Crowborough Army Camp, nine miles from Tunbridge Wells. The move, intended to help close asylum hotels, has sparked protests and concerns over communication and community impact. Councils have gathered questions in advance, with the session set to include updates and a Q&A. Tickets have sold out, but a livestream is planned. Read more from Mary Harris here.

TW LIFE COMMUNITY BOARD

🎶Step into a world of magic this November.

On 23 November, the RTWSO brings you Fairy Tales & Golden Legends - a spellbinding journey through Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dvořák’s Golden Spinning Wheel, Humperdinck’s Evening Prayer, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s dazzling Golden Cockerel Suite. Immerse yourself in music that shimmers with wonder, beauty and imagination.

​Tickets from just £5 - book now and let the magic begin.​

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🎁 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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💼 Boost Wellbeing. Strengthen Performance. 🌱

Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £51 billion a year — but for every £1 invested in training, businesses see an average £4.70 return through reduced absence, better productivity, and stronger retention.

At Mental Health Resource, our accredited MHFA training empowers your team to recognise early signs, start confident conversations, and offer real support. Led by an expert with 20+ years’ experience.

​👉 Book your training today and build a resilient, high-performing workplace.​

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

The Royals Art Exhibition | Royals Indoor Bowls Club | Tues, 10:30am | Meet local artists showcasing paintings, mixed media, and handmade cards | Free Entry​

Anton Du Beke | Assembly Hall | Mon, 7:30pm | Anton’s doing a glam, funny musical night | £41+​

Dr John Cooper Clarke | Assembly Hall | Tues, 8pm | Punk poetry legend doing his thing, should be electric and hilarious | £31.75+​

Emilio Santoro As Elvis | Assembly Hall | Wed, 7:30pm | Elvis magic recreated live - proper feel-good, jump-around fun night | £33.25+​

Re-Take That | Assembly Hall | Thurs, 7:30pm | Take That bangers all night - pure nostalgic, sing-your-heart-out fun | £34.25​

Ross Noble | Assembly Hall | Fri, 8pm | Ross being wonderfully chaotic and ridiculous, expect nonstop, unhinged hilarity | £34.25​

Tunde - Voice of Lighthouse Family | Assembly Hall | Sat, 7:45pm | Tunde performing Lighthouse Family favourites in a warm, soulful celebration | £48+​

Horatio Gould - Return of the Space Cowboy | Trinity Theatre | Thurs, 8pm | Horatio digs into Gen Z purpose struggles with sharp, funny wit | £19​

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It | Trinity Theatre | Fri, 7:30pm | Hal riffing on modern life, family, and politics with sharp humour | £21​

Repair Cafe | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 9:45am | Fix-it morning with volunteers helping mend household bits and pieces | Details​

Rosie Jones: I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying | Trinity Theatre | Sat, 7:30pm | Rosie diving into life, identity and silliness with sharp, cheeky humour | £19​

Christmas Book Folding Workshops | Penshurt Place | 18th Nov to 9th Dec | Festive craft night making folded book ornaments with cosy refreshments | £50​

Bridge of Spies | Rusthall Community Cinema | Sat, 6:30pm | Cold War thriller night with Tom Hanks sorting a tense spy swap | £5​

Sterling Press | The Sussex Arms | Thurs, 7:30pm | Indie rock night with high-energy sets from Sterling Press and supports | £10​

DJ Format | The Sussex Arms | Fri, 8pm | Old-school hip-hop and funk party vibes from a master DJ | £16.50​

A Celebration of Guns N Roses | The Forum | Sat, 7:30pm | Big, loud tribute night packed with classic Guns N’ Roses hits | £22​

FURTHER OUT

St Augustine's School Visits | Wilman Road | 28th Nov | Book a visit to meet the headteacher and tour reception | Details​

Christmas Artisan Fair | Chiddingstone Castle | 29th Nov | Big festive shopping day with artisan stalls, gifts, food and mulled wine | £8​

Irish & Trad Sessions | The Sussex Arms | 7th Dec | Lively pub session with traditional Irish and folk tunes all afternoon | Free​

SKATE | Calverley Grounds | 5th Dec to 4th Jan | Festive outdoor ice skating under twinkly lights with relaxed sessions | Details​

JOBS

• Retail Assistant | Retail Assistant | More Info​
• Production Shift Manager | BarthHaas UK | More Info​
• Customer Team Member | Co-op Insurance | More Info​

Check out all the listings on TW Jobs​

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

SPORT

⚽FOOTBALL

15th Nov:

• Hollands & Blair 2 - 0 Tunbridge Wells
• Rusthall 4 - 2 Punjab United

22nd Nov:

• Holmesdale vs. Tunbridge Wells
• Kennington vs. Rusthall

🏉 RUGBY

22nd Nov:

• Camberley vs. Tunbridge Wells

🏑HOCKEY

15th Nov:

• Burnt Ash vs. Tunbridge Wells (Women's)
• Tunbridge Wells (Men's) 2 - 1 Horsham

22nd Nov:

• Reigate Priory vs. Tunbridge Wells (Men's)
• Tunbridge Wells (Women's) vs. Ashford (Kent)

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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