In a clear sign to the local community that progress is imminent, the Retirement Villages Group (RVG) – the developers of the former ABC cinema site – have roped in young artists from around the town to create a bright, new addition to the town landscape.
The collage of drawings on hoardings around the former ABC Cinema site was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 20.
The new designs reflect depictions of inspiring older people through the eyes of pupils from The Wells Free School, Bishops Down Primary School, Temple Grove Academy and St Barnabas Church of England Primary School.
In addition, with the assistance of Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre, children produced a collage of the skyline of the town.
Along with school representatives, also in attendance were RVG members, members of the Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre, and Cllr Justine Rutland, Cabinet Member for Tunbridge Wells Town and Local Areas, and Cllr Hugo Pound, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning.
The ceremony marks the next step towards the development of the new retirement community, which achieved its planning consent in late 2022 and is on track to begin construction in early 2024.
Paul Jess, Senior Development Manager at RVG said: “As we move towards the first phase of construction in early 2024, we hope the community will enjoy the artworks as they go about their day in the town centre.”
