Primark Acquire Old BHS Unit
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council can confirm that Primark is to open a store in Royal Tunbridge Wells following the retailer’s purchase of the former BHS building in the centre of the town.
In 2023 the Council acquired the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre and has been working hard, together with their Asset and Development Manager RivingtonHark, to bring new brands into the town. The arrival of the hugely popular retailer Primark, who will trade on two floors of a site that extends into the shopping centre, is viewed as another significant step in the revitalisation of the town centre.
A key part of our Leasing Strategy for Royal Victoria Place was to bolster the fashion offering with a landmark anchor tenant. This letting is a turning point in the vitality of the centre and will act as a bedrock for leasing and investment into the scheme. We see clear synergies with Primark’s offer and our current tenants and are confident that their arrival will further facilitate growth and opportunities.
Primark Director of Sales for London & the South East, Philippa Nibbs said:
“We are thrilled to be opening a new store in Tunbridge Wells. We know our customers have wanted a Primark here for a long time, so we can’t wait to open the doors and let our customers shop the products they know and love closer to home. Works will be underway soon and we will update in due course, but in the meantime, customers can shop at our nearby Maidstone and Crawley stores.”
Cllr Justine Rutland, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Chair of the Investment Advisory Panel and Cabinet member for Economic Development said:
‘We are delighted to be welcoming Primark to Tunbridge Wells. It was really important to us to see the former BHS unit filled with a store that many residents, especially young people, have been asking for, and which will complement existing businesses. Its arrival will create jobs and lead to a significant increase in footfall, bringing economic benefits to the town and the wider borough. Where Primark goes, other retailers follow, so this is a great reason to be cheerful for the future of the town centre.’
Lee Colyer, the Council’s Director of Finance Policy & Development said:
“The Council has played an important role in encouraging Primark to become the permanent occupant of the former BHS site in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Residents and businesses have been calling for Primark to have a presence in the town centre and this will provide a tremendous boost to the local economy and will link neatly with the recently acquired Royal Victoria Place shopping centre.
Primark will be making a significant investment which we hope will encourage other businesses to also recognise that the prospects for Tunbridge Wells town centre have never looked better.”
Primark is expected to begin its refurbishment of the site imminently. Details about an opening date will be communicated by the company in due course.
