Royal Victoria Place car park refurbishment underway in Tunbridge Wells

A major refurbishment of the car park at Royal Victoria Place is now well underway, with works scheduled to run until July 2026.

The project, launched by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in March 2025, covers a full upgrade of the multi-storey facility. This includes resurfacing, repainting, and important structural repairs aimed at extending the life of the building and improving safety.

One of the more forward-looking changes is the installation of solar panels on the top level. These are expected to generate renewable energy for both the shopping centre and the car park itself, which is a solid step towards reducing running costs and environmental impact.

Despite the scale of the works, the car park has stayed mostly open. Sections are being closed off in phases while work is carried out, so drivers still have access. The only full closure happened earlier in the project, during June and July 2025, when entrance and exit areas were upgraded. During that time, drivers were redirected to nearby alternatives like Meadow Road and Crescent Road car parks.

From what can already be seen on-site, one change stands out straight away - the parking bays. They appear noticeably wider than what people are used to. That might sound like a small thing, but in practice it makes a big difference. Anyone who’s tried squeezing out of a car in a tight multi-storey knows how frustrating it gets.

Wider spaces should really be the standard, not the exception. It reduces minor damage, makes parking less stressful, and just works better for modern cars, which are bigger than they used to be. If the final result keeps this approach across the whole car park, it’ll be one of the most practical upgrades people actually feel day to day.

The council and management team have acknowledged the disruption caused during the works, but if the end result delivers on both usability and sustainability, most drivers will likely see it as a worthwhile trade-off.