Tunbridge Wells is at the heart of the West Kent economic area and is home to more than half the regional population. That makes it an important economic centre, as do the town’s superb train links to London.

The regional economy performs well according to figures from Invest West Kent:

• £15bn GDP
• £64,333 GVA average per job
• 19,000 businesses
• 11 million visitors per year
• Just 2.2% unemployment

This is a wealthy area where the economy is strong. Jobs are of a high quality in the West Kent region, and unemployment is low. Tunbridge Wells is at the heart of it all and is the driver for the region.

Even better, the economy is still growing. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the employment rate in Tunbridge Wells is growing annually and is higher than the average for the whole South East of England.

Tunbridge Wells already has everything that people want and need. In many ways, it’s an idyllic town. However, there is still more regeneration projects underway to make it an even more attractive place to live and work.

Town Centre Plan

The biggest change to Tunbridge Wells in a generation is underway as the Town Centre Plan 2040 takes shape. In the next 15 years, the Plan seeks to transform the historic spa town with:

• New spaces for markets and cultural events
• Multi-functional spaces for the day and night time economy
• More tree planting to enhance biodiversity
• Art, walking and audio trails
• New play spaces for families
• Redevelopment of underused commercial buildings
• Improved public walking and cycling paths
• Electric vehicle charging points
• Cycle storage facilities

…and much more that will go to towards making the town an even more desirable place to live, a more efficient home for businesses, and a more attractive tourist destination.

Royal Victoria Place

The Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre in the heart of Tunbridge Wells was recently bought by the Borough Council for more than £8m. They have moved quickly to put a regeneration plan in place that will upgrade the centre, and the town along with it.

The key objectives are:

• To fill empty shopping units
• Re-establish a food court area
• Improve leisure facilities.

The council said in May: "The expert view is there is potential to fill vacant units and drive-up occupancy and footfall, and the tenant mix could be rebalanced away from retail towards a greater leisure offer.”