RivingtonHark, acting on behalf of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, has secured a deal to bring Primark to the Kent town.
The budget retailer has bought the former BHS store on Calverley Road. The store, which closed in 2016, forms part of the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, which the council bought from British Land in October 2023 for £8.1m.
Since buying the shopping centre, RivingtonHark has been working with the council to bring new brands into the town.
“A key part of our leasing strategy for the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre was to bolster the fashion offering with a landmark anchor tenant,” said RivingtonHark asset manager Aran Uner.
“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 its arrival will further facilitate growth and opportunities.”
Lee Colyer, director of finance policy and development at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, added: “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.”
Knight Frank and Cradick Retail are letting agents on Royal Victoria Place.
Image © Dinendra Haria/Shutterstock
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