Major Transformational Plans Across Three Town Centres in the South East
Consultation, Consultation, Consultation
As part of its work Repurposing, Rejuvenating and Regenerating shopping centres across the UK RivingtonHark is consulting stakeholders and the general public, ahead of the planning process, on major transformational plans across 3 town centres in the South East.
The first to be aired was in Fareham where tenants together with a wide range of organisations and in excess of 600 members of the public were engaged in mid-November. Engagement regarding Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells is ongoing with the exhibition open for the second weekend this Saturday. Consultation on the plans to remodel Palace Gardens in Enfield opens next week.
This engagement has included Westminster with all 3 local MP’s providing valuable input on the proposals and allowing us to hear the broader considerations across the boroughs.
In combination these schemes represent c£500million of urban regeneration and will deliver the repurposing of over 300,000 sq ft of underperforming and over supplied retail space. In doing so they will collectively deliver over 500 new homes, a new NHS Health Hub, new public realm, environmental improvements, new leisure facilities and enhancements to the evening economies for all 3 towns.
RivingtonHark is delivering these schemes on behalf of both public and private sector clients. Earlier this year it helped assemble and procure highly experienced professional teams for all 3 projects and planning applications for each scheme are anticipated in 2026.
David Lewis, Managing Director @ RivingtonHark “these significant and impactful projects are a great reflection of how we bring our asset management and development management expertise together to make shopping centres fit for purpose and sustainable for the future whilst delivering meaningful change to our town centres”
Fenwick Extends Commitment to Tunbridge Wells Until 2037
Anchor tenant is latest retailer to commit to be part of future vision for Royal Victoria Place
Fenwick, the UK’s largest family-owned department store group, has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Tunbridge Wells after agreeing a lease extension with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council that will keep the retailer at Royal Victoria Place (RVP) until 2037.
The agreement secures the future of the much-loved store in the heart of the town centre and reflects Fenwick’s confidence in Tunbridge Wells as a strong retail location. It follows the group’s improved financial performance in 2024, demonstrating resilience and positive momentum despite wider sector challenges.
Confidence in the Town Centre’s Future
Fenwick’s decision to renew its lease was significantly influenced by the improvements made to Royal Victoria Place since the Council acquired the centre, supported by RivingtonHark as Asset and Development Managers. The retailer also welcomes the Council’s emerging development proposals, which aim to strengthen Tunbridge Wells’ position as a leading shopping destination in the South East.
Tunbridge Wells is one of Fenwick’s eight UK locations, alongside its Newcastle flagship and stores in Kingston, Brent Cross, Colchester, Canterbury, Bracknell and York.
A Key Anchor for the Centre
The Tunbridge Wells store continues to play an important role in Fenwick’s national portfolio, serving customers across Kent and Sussex with a curated fashion, beauty, home and gifting offer. The Terrace remains a thriving dining destination within the store, supported by services including personal shopping, concierge and an extensive beauty offering.
Leadership Commentary
Hugo Fenwick, Retail Managing Director at Fenwick, said: “We’re delighted to be renewing our store lease in Tunbridge Wells until 2037. This decision reflects not only our confidence in the town as a thriving retail destination, but also our commitment to the local community we’ve been proud to serve since 1992. Both the improvements we’ve seen at Royal Victoria Place together with the Council’s ambitious plans for the Centre gives us considerable optimism for the future.”
Council Response
Councillor Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: “Fenwick is one of the UK’s most renowned department stores, and its presence in Royal Victoria Place has always been very important to the vibrancy and success of the centre. Consistently recognised in our recent engagement exercise as a much-loved RVP retailer, Fenwick is viewed positively by residents, visitors and businesses alike, and remains a key draw to the town and wider borough. We are delighted that Fenwick will be staying in Tunbridge Wells for at least the next decade, supporting our strategy to create a flourishing town centre that works for all.”
She added that the Council continues to engage with tenants and the public on proposals for the next phase of RVP’s future, including plans for Palm Court, Ely Court and Market Square.
Lee Colyer, Director of Finance, Policy and Development at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: “We are fortunate to have a retailer of the calibre of Fenwick within our town centre and one that is importantly the anchor tenant of Royal Victora Place. One of the core objectives following acquisition of RVP was to stabilise the asset and retain key tenants. We have been engaging and listening to the improvements that Fenwick would like to see and have been working to achieve them.
“It is a huge vote of confidence that Fenwick is committing to RVP. It is also reassuring that Fenwick has been impressed with the turnaround that we have delivered for RVP with footfall up 340,000 and occupancy now at 95 per cent.”
Leasing Momentum Continues as New Brands Join the Line-Up At Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells
More F&B, major store expansions and upcoming Primark opening underline confidence in Tunbridge Wells' flagship shopping centre
Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells continues to build momentum, with a series of new and expanding occupiers reflecting growing confidence in the centre’s transformation.
Hot on the heels of recent lettings, Kochi, a Japanese patisserie and Jamaica Blue, the Australian café brand, are the latest names to join the scheme’s evolving food and beverage offer. Both will bring distinctive new flavours and high-quality experiences to Tunbridge Wells — adding vibrancy to the centre’s social spaces and offering visitors even more choice.
Adding to the positive leasing activity, Oliver Bonas is making a significant investment in its presence at Royal Victoria Place. The retailer is upsizing from 1,200 sq ft to 5,500 sq ft, enabling an expanded fashion and lifestyle range that reflects the brand’s strong performance and long-term commitment to the location.
Other existing occupiers reaffirming their confidence in the scheme include Lush, Sportsdirect.com, Burrells the Jeweller, HMV, iStore and L’Occitane, all of which have recently renewed their leases.
These lettings and renewals come ahead of the eagerly anticipated opening of Primark in the former BHS store — a major milestone for both Royal Victoria Place and the town’s retail landscape. The arrival of this flagship brand will further strengthen Tunbridge Wells’ fashion offer and reinforce the centre’s position as the town’s leading shopping destination.
This leasing activity is delivering the target tenant mix strategy and creating a destination that combines fashion, lifestyle and dining, tailored to the Tunbridge Wells demographic. The addition of new F&B operators, alongside the expansion of a leading national retailer, highlights how the scheme is successfully diversifying its offer and enhancing its appeal to visitors.
“We’re seeing clear momentum at Royal Victoria Place,” said Aran Uner, Asset Manager. “These lettings and renewals show the confidence that quality brands have in both the centre and in Tunbridge Wells more broadly. The growth in our F&B and lifestyle mix is helping to drive stronger footfall and enhance the overall experience for shoppers and the local community.”
With continued occupier demand, new investment and major brands expanding within the centre, Royal Victoria Place is firmly on track to deliver its vision for a refreshed and dynamic town centre destination.
This leasing momentum sits alongside exciting redevelopment plans for parts of the centre which are being brought forward. An update on these plans is expected shortly…
RivingtonHark Harvests Crop of Green Apples
5 Awards Won Across Portfolio
Our shopping centres have been recognised at the 2025 International Green Apple Environmental Awards, celebrating innovation and leadership in sustainability across the retail and leisure sector. This achievement reflects the continuing deep commitment of RivingtonHark and our centre management teams to building greener, more connected communities.
St Johns Shopping Centre, Liverpool, delivered two awards:
- “Growing Together for a Greener Future” – where the team engaged local schools and visitors in biodiversity education, creating living examples of how city centres can nurture nature.
- “Progress Through Procurement” – delivered zero waste to landfill and eliminated single-use plastics across the soft services supply chain.
Castle Quarter, Norwich, set a new benchmark for sustainability through its “Green Revolution” project by:
- Installing 390 rooftop solar panels, to generate clean, renewable energy.
- Implementing an innovative food waste programme, sending surplus material to be transformed into renewable energy and biofertilizer, to help power nearby homes.
- Creating the School Uniform Exchange, providing vital support to over 50 local families while preventing nearly a tonne of textiles from going to landfill.
Palace Shopping, Enfield, transformed a neglected service area into “The Secret Garden” — Built in partnership with local volunteers, the garden demonstrates how underused spaces can be turned into thriving ecological assets.
The Victoria Centre, Southend-on-Sea team cultivated over 100 native tree and handcrafted 40 birdhouses and bug hotels to create “Rooftop Allotment & Chill Space” — all made from reclaimed materials and donated to local schools, special needs homes and community groups.
By working with local partners, charities and community groups, each centre has shown how environmental innovation can generate social value and create spaces where people and planet thrive together.
New Gym Works Out In St Johns, Liverpool
XF Gym takes former Wilko Store
When Wilko closed its doors for the final time when the wider business went bust, the loss of the 30,000 sq ft anchor store at Liverpool’s St Johns Shopping Centre could easily have left a gaping hole in the scheme’s heart and the owner with a major headache. Instead, our asset management team saw an opportunity to rethink the space — and redefine what St Johns offers to its shoppers and visitors.
On 22 September, that vision took shape with the opening of XF Gym, a £5 million investment that has transformed the former retail unit into a state-of-the-art fitness destination. The new facility features a vast open-plan workout zone equipped with the latest machines, alongside dedicated Hyrox and strength areas. There are also studios for spin, yoga, Pilates, boxing, and dance classes, as well as luxury spa facilities complete with saunas, showers, sunbeds, and vanity areas.
But this is no ordinary gym. XF Gym aims to make fitness an experience, with a smoothie bar, live DJ sets, and a high-energy atmosphere designed to inspire members and visitors alike.
The opening forms part of RivingtonHark’s wider strategy to evolve St Johns into a vibrant mixed-use destination, combining retail, leisure, hospitality, and lifestyle. Home to the iconic St Johns Beacon, the centre already offers a strong blend of shops, food and beverage operators, a hotel, and a popular car park — and now, with the addition of XF Gym, it has a firm foundation for an expanded leisure offer.
Click the link below for the Completely Retail Article.
Further announcements about the scheme’s next phase are expected in the coming months. So watch this space…
Riverside Gardens Moves into Construction Phase
Morgan Sindall appointed as contractor as work begins on Shrewsbury's new riverside park
RivingtonHark acting as Development Manager on behalf of Shropshire Council are pleased to announce that Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the main contractor for the Riverside Gardens project in Shrewsbury – marking a significant milestone in the town’s regeneration journey.
Following the successful demolition of the former Riverside Shopping Centre, work is now underway on the construction of the new park and the first phase of the ambitious wider regeneration proposals.
Funded by the UK Government, the park will create a vital new connection between the town centre, the River Severn, Frankwell Bridge and key cultural destinations including the Theatre and surrounding park areas.
Designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, the new green space will feature carefully selected trees and planting, along with integrated drainage engineering to support future phases of development. These designs have been agreed in consultation with the Environment Agency, ensuring the park contributes positively to the area’s ecology and long-term flood management.
This milestone represents the result of strong collaboration between RivingtonHark, Shropshire Council and the wider project team – all committed to delivering a vibrant and accessible new public space for the town.
Planning Granted for Old Town Newbury
Regeneration project to transform the former Kennet Shopping Centre into new homes, commercial space and landscaped areas
Planning consent has been secured for the Old Town Newbury development – a major step forward in the regeneration of the town centre.
The plans provide for the demolition of the outdated 250,000 sq ft Kennet Shopping Centre and the creation of:
- 317 new homes
- Flexible commercial space
- Attractive new open landscaped areas
The existing Vue leisure block will remain, alongside popular restaurants Nando’s and Kung Fu, ensuring continuity of leisure and dining options in the heart of the town.
A New Chapter for Newbury
Located within a conservation area and one of Newbury’s most historic quarters, the project represents a thoughtful transformation – replacing redundant retail floorspace with vibrant new uses that will bring people, activity and investment back into the town centre.
This milestone reflects extensive collaboration and dedication from Lochailort Investments Ltd, their architects Woods Hardwick and the wider professional team including Savills and RivingtonHark. Phase 1 works are scheduled to begin in 2026.
Contractor appointed for first Swansea Central Office
Progress for Swansea City Centre Regeneration!
Swansea Central’s first high-quality office building is moving closer to reality with contractor Andrew Scott Ltd appointed to lead the pre-construction design stage.
Following the completion of Copr Bay, RivingtonHark is continuing in the role of Development Manager, delivering this second phase for Swansea Council which is designed to boost footfall, create a highly sustainable office hub and drive economic growth.
The Cat-A office will be occupied in part by Swansea Council with the remaining space set to be split between other public-sector tenants and private businesses, while the ground floor will offer café / restaurant and retail / leisure space to provide city centre vibrancy.
Designed by shedkm, the scheme features:
- Blue/green roof for sustainable urban drainage and biodiversity
- PV panels to cut carbon emissions
- Cycle storage and shower facilities to encourage active travel
- Highest specification digital infrastructure for connectivity
Construction is set to start in Spring 2026, with completion expected in Summer 2027.
RivingtonHark Appoints A New Senior Asset Manager
We are delighted to welcome Neil Woodward to RivingtonHark as Senior Asset Manager
Having been working in the retail and leisure property industry for over 25 years in consultant and client-side roles he brings a wealth of experience and extensive industry contacts to our asset management platform. Prior to joining RivingtonHark Neil’s early career, working at Dalgliesh/CBRE, involved advising landlord and occupiers on leasing and acquisitions in retail and leisure; more recent roles include senior positions at real estate businesses including LCP, Moyallen & Vale Retail where he asset managed a diverse range of shopping centre assets including The Whitgift Shopping Centre (Croydon), The Centre (Livingston) & The Wellington Centre (Aldershot) & The Peacocks & The Wolsey Place Shopping Centres (Woking).
Mark Harvey, Executive Director, says “Having known Neil for many years I am delighted to welcome him to the business and have the opportunity to work with him across our portfolio. His breadth of experience and wide range of occupier contacts will further strengthen our asset management capabilities as we continue to grow our portfolio and enhance value across our projects”.
RivingtonHark Appoints an Asset & Development Surveyor
Dan Phillips joins as Asset & Development Surveyor
We’re delighted to welcome Dan Phillipsto the team at RivingtonHark as an Asset Management and Development Surveyor.
Dan previously worked at NAI UK where he worked as a Graduate Surveyor, focusing on serviced office disposals. He recently completed his MSc in Real Estate at the University of Reading.
Dan will be working across both our Asset management and Development teams, supporting a range of live projects across the portfolio.
His appointment forms part of our continued growth and expansion strategy as we bring in new talent to meet the needs of an increasingly active project pipeline.
Will Ashdown, Senior Asset Manager at RivingtonHark commented: “We’re really pleased to have Dan on board. He’s joining at an exciting time for the business, and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop his skills and support our growing team.”