The new attraction will feature a range of family activities including go karts, a bowling alley, cinema and a virtual reality arcade, all located over three floors in Royal Victoria Place.
It comes more than six years after BHS collapsed in 2016 leaving the site in the shopping centre abandoned.
The company behind the project is Elite Leisure Collection, owner of One Media, publisher of the Times, who say even at half capacity the new attraction is expected to bring more than 1.5 million visitors to the town centre each year.
Inside the attraction, which will be in operation seven days a week from 10am until midnight, there will be the latest in modern leisure attractions.
A 230-metre go kart track, originally planned for North Farm, is to be among the key attractions in the town centre complex, which is yet to be named.
The very latest in eco-friendly electric go karts will race over two floors in the former retail unit, with more than eight racers competing at any one time.
Bowling alleys, a boutique cinema and an arcade featuring the latest in virtual reality gaming will also be in the new leisure facility as will laser tag, mini-golf and a host of food and drink offerings.
The £9million project, which is set to breathe new life into Royal Victoria Place, has been welcomed by the town’s MP and leader of the Council.
On hearing of the plans, Greg Clark said: “This is fantastic news for the town. So often young people in particular say to me that there isn’t enough to do in Tunbridge Wells and if this gets the go ahead, it will provide entertainment for all ages.
“It should also be a magnet attracting visitors from further afield and provide much needed customers for all the other shops and facilities at the top of the town.”
Cllr Tom Dawlings added: “The plans for leisure activities in the former BHS store in the precinct are particularly exciting providing go karts, cinema, bowling, mini golf, laser tag and a state-of-the-art arcade.
“This will be something for the younger age groups well into the late evening. It will provide a further boost to the top of the town, alongside the opening of the Amelia Scott, the plans for co-working in the Town Hall, the acquisition of the derelict old cinema site and increasing interest in many of the vacant former retail premises.”
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