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2 e e 73 Fr in k u D 01 o. | ne .c J Fi 1E ey 9 ll TN va .k ge w id w br w on ,T et re St
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Wednesday, August 3, 2016
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HOTELIER REFUTES FAMILY’S VERSION OF DISPUTE OVER AUTISTIC BOY Page 5
HONDA NSX IS AT CUTTING EDGE OF SPORTS CAR TECHNOLOGY
CAMDEN QUARTER RESTAURANT COULD REOPEN WITHIN A FEW WEEKS
Page 63
Page 3
POST-BREXIT SURGE IN THOSE SIGNING UP TO POLITICAL PARTIES Page 4
Pokémon bench is wrecked by vandals and then repaired by Good Samaritans By William Lloyd A MEMORIAL bench in Calverley Grounds that has been named as the location of a Pokéstop has been vandalised. The bench was placed there by widow Janet Balmforth ‘in loving memory of Adrian Balmforth 1928-2003’. Her late husband was at one time Director of The Grove Bowling Club in Tunbridge Wells. The app Pokémon Go was released in early July and has become a summer sensation. The aim of the game is for players to catch Pokémon creatures in their local area and then head to ‘Gyms’ where they fight other users. The bench is the location of a Pokéstop, where users can collect eggs or Poké Balls which allow them to capture more Pokémon. It is the only bench in the grounds that is a Pokéstop and it was the only bench damaged on Saturday.
SCREENSHOT Bench as seen on Pokémon
Continued on page 2
Town misses out on chance INSIDE for a ‘grown-up’ night spot WAITROSE EFFECT
Supermarket could add £40,000 to value of your home. Page 6
Decision not to allow extra time for £500,000 project described as ‘mistake’
LOST OPPORTUNITY Private members’ club plans fell through
Adam Hignett
adam@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk PLANS to create ‘a real game changer’ on The Pantiles with the opening of a private members’ club, complete with restaurant and bar, have fallen through, the Times can reveal. The news comes in the same week that the empty Heritage Centre site on The Pantiles has been put back on the market. Earlier this year plans to develop it as a Curzon cinema also collapsed. Both sites are on the Lower Pantiles, which is owned by the Marquess of Abergavenny through the Nevill Estate. Alexander Proud, founder of one of the most recognised venue operators in the country, has spoken of his regret that his plans to open a new club did not come to fruition. His company, Proud Group, runs the epony-
mous photography galleries in Chelsea, Camden Town and the Strand – alongside two further galleries outside of the capital plus a nightclub and three cabaret venues. He had wanted to start the development at 51 The Pantiles, formerly the Masala Indian restaurant, next spring and was planning to invest up to half a million pounds in the project.
‘This would have been a game changer for The Pantiles’ Despite reaching heads of agreement with the Nevill Estate after two years of talks, the deal fell through due to a further delay in starting. Mr Proud, a former Tonbridge School pupil, explained that this came about due to his company’s purchase of Stanmer House in Brighton from Whiting and Hammond and
the need to divert time and resources towards that project. However, Mr Proud spoke of his frustration that the process had taken two years in the first place, especially as the initial delay was ultimately caused by the failed attempt to house a Curzon cinema in the neighbouring Corn Exchange. He said it was ‘a real shame’ to come so close as he believes Tunbridge Wells is crying out for such a venue. “We almost signed two years ago and then the big cinema deal got in the way, and we had to wait behind it, which was frustrating to say the least. “And now we have reached heads agreement [with the Nevill Estate], but our timing was off as I just took over Stanmer House.” Mr Proud made clear he has an extremely good relationship with the Marquess of Abergavenny, adding the estate had a ‘great vision’ for The Pantiles. But he described the decision not to wait for the Proud Group to be ready as ‘a mistake’. “This would have been a real game changer for The Pantiles. “A national brand with credibility, and huge demand in Tunbridge Wells for a grown-up restaurant and bar to have fun in until late without all the kids that frequent some of the other later venues. “I grew up in Tunbridge Wells and it was a dreadful, dull, violent place. But now Brighton costs so much, all the cool people who once went there are coming
Continued on page 2
ART SHOW HIGH
Society has most successful exhibition in its history. Page 3
THE KENT TEST
Bright children from low income families tutored free. Page 7
AFTERNOON TEA
Best places in town to tempt your taste buds. Pages 56-57