Exciting proposals for the development of the former ABC Cinema site in Royal Tunbridge Wells have been shown a green light by the town’s planning committee – while the identity of the scheme’s cinema operator has also been revealed.
Boutique style cinema operator, Everyman, has been confirmed as the anchor tenant of ‘The Belvedere’ – the living, shopping and leisure development by Altitude Real Estate to be built on a prominent Mount Pleasant Road site, adjacent to the town’s mainline station.
The Everyman cinema will comprise a bar and restaurant, as well as three screens fitted with the usual Everyman sofa seating.
The seven storey 165,000 sq. ft. development, designed by Glenn Howells Architects, provides 33,000 sq. ft. of street level shops, 21,000 sq. ft. of podium level cafes and restaurants, the 10,000 sq. ft. Everyman Cinema, up to 10,000 sq. ft. of medical or office space, and around 100 contemporary apartments set around a private landscaped garden.
This long-awaited development is expected to attract new visitors, residents, retailers and restaurateurs to Royal Tunbridge Wells and is set to transform this central part of the town centre – which has lain dormant since the turn of the century.
The overall end value of the development is approximately £80 million.
Construction is expected to begin during 2018 and will take approximately two and a half years.
Stephen Tillman, Director of Altitude Real Estate said; “We are delighted that the proposals for The Belvedere have received such overwhelming support. There is real excitement regarding the amount of investment being made in the town and our scheme is a further vote of confidence in the future prosperity of such an attractive location.
“The Belvedere will create a vibrant new place in the heart of this lovely town in which people can live, shop and relax, as well as bridging the divide between the traditional retail areas of the Pantiles and Royal Victoria Place.
“Up to now, pre-leasing has focused on securing a strong cinema offer and so I am pleased to announce that Everyman will be bringing their boutique cinema format to The Belvedere. A significant amount of interest has already been received from other new and exciting brands that will further enhance the retail and leisure offer of The Belvedere.”
Strutt & Parker and Jackson Criss have been appointed joint leasing agents. Formal marketing of the retail and restaurant space will now commence.
