Cinema Plan
TWBC and Rivington Hark believe that another Cinema is what the community of Tunbridge Wells wants.
SOCC recognises that Cinema can be a fantastic experience. The hard truth is that Cinema attendance has been in decline for many, many years. Viewing habits are changing. Streaming is the preferred method of televisual viewing for both young and old and box-sets/series the preferred medium.
TWBC propose a 4-Screen 200-seat Cinema in the RVP Future plan.
It is the opinion of SOCC that this is the wrong development. A small (50 seats for example) boutique Cinema would be welcome and easily accommodated within one of the empty retail units.
Trinity Theatre has been operating a community Cinema for many years. The Odeon Cinema continues to operate from Knights Park. This new addition would therefore be the 3rd Cinema facility in Tunbridge Wells.
The plan for the boutique Cinema is directly at the cost of the Victoria Snooker Centre; a snooker club that has been operating for over 30 years and has hosted celebrities such as Ronnie O'Sullivan. No alternative plan for the relocation of the Victoria Snooker Centre has been proposed by either TWBC or Rivington Hark (Development Partners). More information on their campaign to save the club can be found here.
SOCC recognises that TWBC seeks to add leisure facilities to the RVP plan. Our concern is that the idea of a Cinema in the town centre is based upon nostalgic feedback for the ABC Cinema at Mt. Pleasant; a site that was, after 20 years eventually, turned into retirement accommodation.
Leisure activities extrend beyond shopping, or eating at mainstream Shopping Centre eateries and going to the Cinema.
The current proposal from Rivington Hark and TWBC does not appear to hold any consideration for the true interests of the community and as such would appear to be somewhat out of touch.
The current plans will seek to leave ALL of the following leisure services without a suitable home in the centre of Tunbridge Wells: Snooker, Gym (Pure Gym), Dance, Drama, Children's Dance and Play, Free Softplay, Community Keep-Fit, Martial Arts and numerous other community groups in favour of global corporate high street brands who can afford to occupy shopping centre retail, food and beverage units and: another Cinema.
When was the last time you went to the Cinema?
If, like many it wasn't very recently, do you really believe that this Cinema will still be operating in five or ten years' time?
We are calling on both TWBC and Rivington Hark to rethink this vanity project, akin to the failed bid to build a Theatre at Calverley Park.
We ask them to genuinely consider the varied leisure activities that are already supported by facilities within the Market Square, Camden Centre and Victoria Snooker Centre before submitting the planning application in spring 2026.