The Liberal Democrat Borough Council plans for a new “boutique” cinema and more shops in the RVP Shopping centre is set to be a big local issue in the May elections.

Leading figures from a range of political parties have spoken to Southborough News stating their outright opposition to the scale of the new council funded building (shown below).

The plans would involve the council taking on a debt of £ 68 million, which would mean an additional £5 million a year in debt servicing costs – on top of the council’s existing spending of around £ 20 million a year.

A leading Conservative councillor said the plans needed “further scrutiny”, while a Tunbridge Wells Alliance party candidate called for the architects to be given a “lower cost brief.”

Meanwhile, a councillor from the Independents for Tunbridge Wells Party in Pembury, David Hayward, called the Lib Dem plans “a ridiculous construct.”

The deputy leader of the council, Justine Rutland of the Liberal Democrats told Southborough News last week that the council was committed to the spending in order to boost the attractiveness of the RVP and provide “experience venues” particularly for young people.

You can watch a new 3 minute version of her interview here on this link:
https://youtu.be/C-jPzKdYzzI

David Hayward, (pictured below) who is standing for re-election in May, reacted to the video by saying: “It is ridiculous that the lessons of the Calverley Square debacle have not been learned.”

David Hayward continued: “The RVP purchase was instigated by the need to stop the alternative, which was effectively asset stripping. I know, I was in the inner sanctum at the time.”

“The work done, across parties and with the officers to secure the deal was amazing. The decision to use the consultants that were brought on board was a success. Maintaining Fenwicks and bringing in Primark was nothing to do with, as claimed, the LibDem administration, it was all part of the original scheme.”

David Hayward then argued: “But now, this boutique cinema expansion for Royal Victoria Place is a ridiculous construct which will place the council in debt and destroy heritage assets. This proposal is ignoring the whole borough’s needs without proper scrutiny as to whether these plans are value for money.”

David Hayward of the Independents for Tunbridge Wells party is one of 5 candidates in the Pembury and Capel ward in the May election. He concluded: “A cynic might suggest that securing the LibDem vote in the town centre is far more important than the needs of the residents outside of the LibDem strongholds.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Mobbs, (pictured below) who’s a Conservative Councillor for Rural Tunbridge Wells said: “Further scrutiny is needed to ensure these plans are value for money and back local businesses.’’

Thomas Mobbs argued: “The decision to expand Royal Victoria Place comes with huge financial implications for council tax payers in Tunbridge Wells. It will plunge the council into debt after many years as a debt free council.”

Thomas Mobbs stated: “Although we supported initial proposals, we have growing concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of the plans ahead of local government reorganisation and do not believe residents and local businesses have been consulted enough throughout the process.”

And a former councillor from the Tunbridge Wells Alliance Party, who is a candidate this time in Park Ward, Nick Pope (pictured below) also called for a rethink.

Nick Pope said: “I have always been surprised that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council allowed the corner buildings on Camden Road and Calverley Road fall into such a terrible state of disrepair with leaking roofs. The council owns these buildings and has failed to maintain them.”

Nick Pope continued: “It has taken several decades of neglect for them to end up in this sorry state on the busiest shopping street in Royal Tunbridge Wells. A charity bookshop had to vacate one unit around 8 to 10 years ago because of the terrible damp and mould on the walls due to a leaking roof. The buildings could be restored and turned into commercial units with flats above.”

The corner buildings on Camden Road and Calverley Road, where the “boutique” cinema is due to be built are shown below thriving in 2012 when occupied by the White Stuff chain before the area was allowed to become derelict.

Nick Pope of the Tunbridge Wells Alliance Party continued: “As for Ely Court, a relatively small amount of money could turn the space into a fantastic space for a group of small businesses with a relatively small investment. Currently, it is an unwelcoming space for customers with the wind cutting through the passageway making it cold and unwelcoming, even on sunny days, so few customers linger and many of the small businesses fail to attract business and close within a few months.”

Nick Pope stated: “The loss of the Camden Centre is a mistake. It is the community hall for the town centre. Again, this building has not been well maintained and has a leaking roof. It was only opened about 35 years ago.”

Nick Pope argued: “Personally, I think it is the wrong time to invest in a major redevelopment of this corner of Royal Victoria Place. The borough council is about to be disbanded, and a smaller investment could revitalise the existing unloved buildings owned by the council and create a hub for small businesses on the corner of Royal Victoria Place.”

Nick Pope concluded: “The architects should be given a lower cost brief that keeps the existing buildings, bringing them back into use, and makes Ely Court a much more welcoming space for customers and small businesses.”

62 candidates are standing in total in the 7th May local elections, with Conservatives, Lib Dems and Reform each contributing 13 candidates, the Green Party 12, Labour 6, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 3, Independents for Tunbridge Wells Party 1, plus one independent candidate.

These are the individual wards:
Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden: 4 candidates (Reform, Cons, Green, LibDem)
Culverden: 6 candidates (Independent, Cons, Lab, Green, LibDem, Reform)
Hawkhurst, Sandhurst & Benenden: 4 candidates (LibDem, Alliance, Reform, Cons)

Paddock Wood: 4 candidates (Green, LibDem, Reform, Cons)
Pantiles: 5 candidates (Cons, Green, Reform, Lab, LibDem)
Park: 6 candidates (LibDem, Lab, Green, Reform, Alliance, Cons)

Pembury & Capel: 5 candidates (Reform, Independents for Tun Wells, Cons, Green, LibDem)
Rural Tunbridge Wells: 5 candidates (Reform, LibDem, Cons, Lab, Green)
Rusthall & Speldhurst: 6 candidates (Green, Reform, Alliance, Lab, LibDem, Cons)

Sherwood: 9 candidates for 2 seats (Cons 2, Reform 2, Lab, Green 2, LibDem 2)
Southborough & Bidborough: 8 candidates for 2 seats (Cons 2, English Democrats, Green, Reform 2, LibDem 2)

There is no voting in High Brooms ward, which elects just one councillor, who was voted in two years ago.

The current state of the parties is: LibDem 21, Cons 8, Labour 4, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 3, Independents for Tunbridge Wells 1, Vacant 2 Total=39

The candidates for the local elections are available to view on the Borough Council website:
https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/elections/thursday-7-may-2026/statements-of-persons-nominated?root_node_selection=510839&search_page_508814_submit_button=View+statement

This is a full transcript of Justine Rutland’s 24 minute interview explaining the reasons for the Lib Dem scheme: