Wednesday August 29 | 2018
All the news that matters
YOUR
FREE PAPER
Local, National and International
Times OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
INSIDE
Now Cath Kidston packs its bags and bids farewell
WORKING 9 TO 5
How did students fare with the reformed GCSEs? Pages 6-9 & 19
by Adam Hignett ANOTHER iconic brand has left Royal Victoria Place after Cath Kidston ceased trading over the Bank Holiday weekend, a decade after moving to Tunbridge Wells. The quintessential Middle England store closed its doors to customers for the last time on Monday [August 27], less than one year after moving to the shopping centre from its former premises on the High Street. Known for its floral patterns and nostalgic designs, the fashion and homeware retailer has already removed Tunbridge Wells from its list of stores online.
Goodbye Seven staff are known to have worked at the store, although as the Times went to press it was unclear if they have been offered jobs at any of its other locations. Cath Kidston opened its High Street shop to much fanfare in 2008, before making the decision to relocate to Royal Victoria Place last autumn. The closure of its Tunbridge Wells store comes in the wake of several outlets moving out of the town and its shopping centre. H&M Kids and Mothercare are some of the bigger names to leave Royal Victoria Place in recent years, with numerous smaller shops also closing down. Shoppers were only notified a few days before the closure took place by email, in which the retailer bade ‘farewell’ to Tunbridge Wells, adding: “We have loved having you, but it’s time to say goodbye.” There have not been any reports of the retailer struggling or closing stores across the board. Cath Kidston and Royal Victoria Place were approached for comment.
AS COLD AS ICE
Calverley Grounds to become a winter wonderland Page 3
MAKING SOME NOISE: Local & Live Music Festival was enjoyed by thousands over Bank Holiday weekend Pages 4-5
Businesses welcome BID idea
that would deliver new projects By William Mata will@timesoftunbridgewells.co.uk BOROUGH COUNCIL leaders and businesses have thrown their weight behind plans to create a Business Improvement District [BID] in Tunbridge Wells, although there are some dissenting voices. Royal Tunbridge Wells Together is encouraging businesses to back the scheme – which would see firms pay a levy towards funding initiatives and events. The group’s Manager Karen Pengelly said BID has been a success for hundreds of towns where it has been voted through and could be ‘incredibly positive’ in Tunbridge Wells. Other towns and cities have chosen to invest in events, such as food festivals, and maintenance.
This autumn, firms in a set town centre area will vote on finalised proposals, which will state what the BID will seek to achieve. The four areas of focus for Tunbridge Wells are: Parking, promoting business-
‘It will help make the town a centre of choice for people to live, work and shop’ Gilbert Green, Thomson Snell & Passmore es, staging events and making Tunbridge Wells a ‘great place to work’. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is not in charge of the process, but would have two seats on the board of the man-
agement committee – which would be led by RTW Together. Last week, the authority’s Communities Cabinet Advisory Board voted to support work being undertaken to create a BID. The Cabinet is expected to rubber-stamp the move in a meeting on September 13. Cllr Tracy Moore, speaking in support to the committee, said: “The changing high street has been well documented with people increasingly looking for experiences. “I think this was reflected in businesses’ priorities put forward in the initial BID survey, as events and promotion were said to be important to them. “There are more than 300 BIDs in the UK, including two in Kent [Maidstone
Continued on Page 2
NOT A BARD IDEA
Shakespeare on wheels is in Going Out listings Pages 46-47
PLENTY TO TACKLE Tunbridge Wells RFC ready for new season Page 63