Royal Victoria Place's Ely Court Plans Cleared to Progress After Listing Decision

The Ely Court proposals can now progress to the planning process, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council confirmed, after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport decided not to add the former Friendly Societies Hall and ground-floor shops at 3-7 Camden Road to the national list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. The decision followed a recommendation from Historic England, and DCMS also issued a Certificate of Immunity from Listing for the building - meaning it can't be considered for listing again for five years. The council says its plans still retain and restore the building's distinctive frontage, even though it won't be formally listed. Cllr Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "We welcome the clarity provided by the listing decision, which means the Ely Court and Royal Victoria Place proposals can now progress through the planning process." A borough-wide survey of 2,860 people found strong support for a town centre cinema, the anchor of the Ely Court plans. Source: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

New plans to reshape Royal Victoria Place have been unveiled, giving a clearer picture of how the shopping centre could change over the next few years. The updated designs focus on turning the space into something more than just retail, with a stronger push towards leisure, community use, and making the area feel alive again.

At the centre of the proposal is a new boutique-style cinema, which would sit within the Ely Court area alongside cafés, restaurants, and other leisure-focused businesses. The idea is simple - give people a reason to come into town not just to shop, but to spend time there. That shift reflects what’s happening across many UK towns, where traditional retail alone isn’t enough to keep footfall strong.

Palm Court is also set for a refresh, with plans to improve the overall layout and create a more inviting mix of shops and social spaces. It’s not about tearing everything down and starting again, but more about reworking what’s already there so it actually works for how people use town centres today.

One important detail is that the historic façade of the Friendly Societies Hall will be kept and restored. That’s been a key concern for many locals, and it looks like the plan is to blend new development with the existing character of the town rather than replace it completely. Done right, that balance can make a big difference - too much “new” and you lose identity, too little and nothing really improves.

The council has been heavily involved in this from the start, especially after taking full control of the site in 2023. That move gives them more influence over what happens next, rather than leaving it entirely in the hands of private developers. Whether people agree with that approach or not, it does mean the long-term direction of the town centre is being shaped more locally.

There’s also been a lot of public input along the way. Thousands of residents have taken part in consultations, and the majority seem to support the direction of the plans, particularly the idea of bringing new life into the centre. At the same time, there are still ongoing conversations - especially with businesses currently based in Ely Court, who may need to relocate as part of the redevelopment.

In terms of timing, nothing is happening overnight. If planning permission is approved, work could begin as early as next year, with completion expected around 2029. The overall cost is estimated somewhere between £42 million and £68 million, depending on how the project evolves and whether additional funding comes in.

There are also wider ambitions tied into this. The redevelopment is expected to create jobs during construction and support long-term employment once new businesses move in. More importantly, it’s about pulling more people back into the town centre and making it feel relevant again - something a lot of places are struggling with right now.

The real question is whether it delivers what people actually want. A cinema and leisure space sound good on paper, but success will come down to execution - the mix of businesses, the atmosphere, and whether it genuinely feels like a place people want to spend time in.