Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Proposed Civic Complex and New Theatre will it affect local businesses? In 2015 TWBC determined that it would relocate its town hall to be adjacent to and within the western edge of Calverley Grounds. It would also build a new theatre on the Great Hall car park as a replacement for the Assembly Hall Theatre. The plans are available here: http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/business/enterprise-and-regeneration/regeneration/civic-complexdevelopment The council will apply for planning permission later this year, with construction planned to commence late 2018. Why might this be of concern to local businesses?
205 parking spaces in the Great Hall car park (currently 80% occupancy, on average, i.e. full for peak periods) and 60 in Mount Pleasant will be removed during construction.
A replacement car park will be built underneath Calverley Grounds. This will not be completed until 3-4 years after the other two car parks have been removed.
The replacement car park will be located towards the NW of CG, stretching along the northern boundary (i.e. it’ll be towards the “top of the hill”). It is uncertain where the pedestrian exits will be.
Construction traffic will likely increase congestion.
Once the theatre is in place traffic will likely worsen at the bottom of Grove Hill Road. Service vehicles are either entering and exiting Hoopers’ car park (if small/medium sized) or entering between Sainsbury's and Carluccios and exiting through Hoopers’ car park (if large).
The council will need to raise c.£2.5m per annum to cover the costs of the project (debt and theatre subsidy). Some of this will be covered by renting 2/3 of the office space in the new town hall (the theatre will be loss making). Any remainder will have to come from increased taxes/rates or services cuts.
Some things to think about?
Do you currently benefit from the Assembly Hall?
Will a new, larger, theatre and offices benefit your business?
Does your business rely on customers driving into town and using the town’s car parks?
Do your customers tend to park at the bottom or top of the hill?
Through what use (residential, commercial, university) of the existing civic buildings would your business most benefit? (We believe the most likely future use, if this project goes ahead, would be residential.)