The Pantiles will see a new addition to its burgeoning night life after planning permission to turn the former Barclays bank into a bar and restaurant was granted.
Framptons Café Bar & Kitchen will open before Christmas and create around 30 jobs, whilst providing a ‘locally-influenced menu’.
It is the second restaurant to be launched by three ex-military entrepreneurs, Tom Walker, Ed McAdam and Sam Westlake, who took over the running an existing establishment of the same name in Ringwood, Hampshire, in earlier this year.
Plans for a change of use were originally submitted on August 17 with the application accepted by the council on September 5.
Mr Walker said the three former Officers of Parachute Regiment – who have 21 years’ experience in the army between them – were ‘excited’ to transform the former bank into their second site.
He added: “We’ve worked hard since we started our new venture earlier this year and we’re looking forward to hiring a new team and developing a locally-influenced menu in Tunbridge Wells.”
The directors said their experience of ‘uninspiring’ salaried office roles after leaving the military had led them to opening their first restaurant.
“It’s often a challenging time when you leave the army to transition into a civilian job and we all decided that we really wanted to set up our own business,” said Mr McAdam.
Matthew Sankey, head of the Association of Pantiles’ Traders said: “The Pantiles is fast becoming the destination for foodies and this will be a great addition. The more independents the better.”
