as a wide range of bars, coffee shops and
hundreds of high quality shops, including
two department stores (Fenwicks and
Hoopers). The historic Pantiles, to the
south of Royal Tunbridge Wells, is one of
the oldest and finest pedestrian shopping
areas in the country. The town is also
home to the award-winning Royal
Victoria Place, a large and very popular
shopping mall in the town centre.
The range of fascinating, independent
shops in the High Street and Chapel
Place, many of which retain their original
Victorian shop frontages, creates a
pleasant and unique shopping experience.
A number of award-winning parks,
including the restored Dunorlan Park
complete with boating lake, Calverley
Grounds and The Commons are located
within the town to allow people time
to relax.
This Royal Tunbridge Wells' experience
is complemented by the rural character
of the rest of the borough: Cranbrook, an
historic county town with a quality town
centre and thriving business community;
Paddock Wood, a commercial commuter
town with a strong reputation for ware-
housing, light industry, distribution and
fruit storage on the Transfesa Industrial
Estate; and Hawkhurst, a thriving village
situated on the main route to the south
coast with successful retailers and
diversified farm businesses.
Beautiful villages, such as Goudhurst,
Matfield, Brenchley and Lamberhurst
also offer the rural services and facilities
needed for new, emerging and thriving
businesses and their staff.
Most towns and villages have business
units that cater for a wide variety of
business needs.
Attracting New Businesses
and Inward Investment
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council works
in partnership with Locate in Kent to
attract investment into the borough.
Locate in Kent provides free, confidential
relocation services, including supplying
information about potential sites and
properties in the area. Locate in Kent
offer tailored client services that include
location specific economic and market
research to assist potential investors.
Regeneration opportunities
The Council’s Five Year Plan (2014 -
2019) identifies a number of specific
projects that will be delivered in the
borough by working with major businesses,
landowners and investors. The Council
has provided a framework for regeneration
and new site development through its
adopted Core Strategy and Site Allocations
Development Plan Document. The
Borough Council works closely with
Kent County Council to help secure
improved infrastructure and services to
support local economic success.
Quality of Life
Royal Tunbridge Wells, as one of the few
towns in England with both a royal and
spa identity, attracts shoppers, visitors
and business people from across the
South East and beyond.
There are numerous hotels and award-
winning restaurants in the town, as well
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