Westfield and Hermes - Retail Development - Tunbridge Wells, Royal Victoria Place

Date: 03 Sep 2004

Work is underway to create a fresh new dining experience at Royal Victoria Place. Due for completion later this year, the new-look food court will provide a relaxing, contemporary eating environment for visitors to take a break from their shopping and enjoy a wide range of cuisine.

The £2.5 million refurbishment, funded by joint owners Westfield and Hermes, will transform the existing food court setting with the introduction of comfortable banquette seating; dedicated dining areas; stone floors; and a comprehensive lighting scheme designed to enhance the food court's ambience. In addition new food concepts are being introduced, to be announced shortly, that will compliment the existing offer which includes McDonalds, KFC and Spud-U-Like.

The refurbishment works are the first improvements to be made to the Centre since it opened in 1992. While the Centre's classic design has stood the test of time, the existing food court requires some attention to bring it into line with modern trends in dining and food.

Westfield Development Director John Burton said "it is clear that the food and restaurant offer in Tunbridge Wells has improved considerably in recent years and the presence and popularity of many high quality restaurants in the town centre serve to illustrate how standards in dining have risen. This refurbishment represents an opportunity for Westfield to apply its wealth of experience in designing and delivering food courts to reposition Royal Victoria Place as an eating destination, improving footfall and dwell times at the shopping centre".

The food court refurbishment forms part of a wider programme of improvements to Royal Victoria Place. The public toilet facilities are also to be significantly upgraded and a new signage system is being rolled out across the centre. This is accompanied by an on going asset management strategy targeting key new retailers to add to the shopping centre's line up. French Connection has already been signed up and recently began trading from a large unit on the upper mall.

Hermes Portfolio Manager Paul Wray said "as investors it is important we maximise the potential of the existing asset as well as considering larger redevelopment opportunities. Combining the right mix of retailers to meet current consumer demands is essential to maintaining the profile of the shopping centre as a retail and leisure destination. Likewise it is important to have a long term view. Tunbridge Wells is an exciting and vibrant regional centre and we are working with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, stakeholder in Royal Victoria Place, to ensure its position in the retail hierarchy is preserved".

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