RTW Together town centre magazine, Summer 2022

FR EE

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

TOGETHER ISSUE 3

• SUMMER

2022

TOWN CENTRE magazine

44

COVER STORY

WATCH

PAGES OF TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES AND STORIES

this plate!

TASTE WELLS GIVE COMPETITION A BATTERING AT FIRST CAKE OFF!

INCLUDES: THE AMELIA SCOTT BUBBA & ME H A L L’ S B O O KS H O P THE SPA HOTEL FENWICK PERSONAL SHOPPING

RTW TOGETHER BRINGS ART WEEK TO TOWN CENTRE

&MORE!

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

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FLOR A L F U N !

Promotional spring film

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NEWSWORTHY Word on the street

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THE AMELIA SCOTT A library with a difference

BID DIRECTOR Sarah-Jane Adams

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CAKE OFF 2022 History in the baking

We’ve got a lot on our plate for this summer issue - mainly cake! Looking back at our first ever Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off, we hope this tasty Jubilee event leaves you hungry to find out more about what we do for the town centre.

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A NOVEL RETAILER A new chapter for Hall’s

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CHILD’S PLAY Bubba&Me is born

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RACKING UP SALES Personal shopping at Fenwick

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If this is the first time you’re browsing a copy welcome, and we look forward to sharing our work and our restaurants, retailers and service providers with you.

RAIN OR SHINE BID’s weatherproof spring film

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EY ES O N TH E PR I Z E Specsavers gets ahead

Sarah-Jane

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TN CARD FOR TOTS Visit these indies with kids

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B U S I N E S S C A S U A LT Y BDHL dispenses health checkss

letter

And as ever, this free town centre magazine is full of a wide selection of the businesses that we represent as the Business Improvement Disctrict, promoted at no cost. For the first time, this publication will be delivered directly to local homes, ensuring a wider reach.

WELCOME

Inside the summer issue!

B I D DIR ECTOR@ RTWTO GETHER.COM WR IT T EN AN D DES I GNED BY S A RAH-JANE ADAMS P H OTO G R A P H Y, UNL ES S OT HERWISE CRED ITED,

BY C HA R L I E LY NE FOR RT W TOG ETH ER W WW.C HA R L IELYNE.CO.UK

INSTAG R A M: RTWTO GETHER TW IT T ER : RTWTO GETHER YOU T U BE: TUNB RI DGE WEL L S TOGETHER LIN K ED IN .CO M/CO MPA NY/RTWTOGETHER

© RTW TOGETHER, WWW.RTWTOGETHER.COM PRODUCED BY RTW TOGETHER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. PRINTED IN THE TOWN CENTRE, FOR THE TOWN CENTRE, AT KALL KWIK, CAMDEN ROAD, KALLKWIK.CO.UK/TUNBRIDGEWELLS

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NEWS

FRINGE FESTIVAL LAUNCH IS MUSIC TO OUR EARS Supported by RTW Together event grant funding, the Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival is back for 2022, and it’s louder than ever!

The volunteer team held a launch event at The Plant Base, Camden Road, to introduce locals and stakeholders to the plans for this year’s line-up of music, comedy and the arts.

“We’re very excited, it’s bigger and better than last year, which was still very difficult because of the restrictions, but this year, with

PICTURED: THE FRINGE F E S T I VA L’S TEAM OF C R E AT I V E VO LU N T E E R S

This is going to sound really sad, but there’s a giant bubble person (bubbleologist) that I can’t wait to see! And I love theatre, theatre’s my thing, especially musical theatre, and there are some great performances coming, something for everyone.

Keep checking the website, book as much as possible, and keep coming back to the site as events will continually be added.” Nell Price ■ View listings at: www.twfringe.com RTW Together backing, everyone’s embraced it. There’s so much going on at Tunbridge Wells.

I think after the past couple of years, everyone’s appreciating even more being able to go out and do things. We’re up to 160 acts already, and getting a name for ourselves in year one, after a pandemic. I can’t wait to see this massively grow into a big thing for Tunbridge Wells, something that puts us on the map.

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Are you a town centre business with a story to share? We want to hear about your parties, projects, plans and pats on the back. Coverage is free.

Email: biddirector@ rtwtogether.com

AWARDS RECOGNITION A DECADE IN THE MAKING FOR HR REVOLUTION As HR Revolution, Garden Street, marks its 10 year anniversary, there has been plenty more to celebrate, as the team have recently been recognised as finalists in the Times of Tunbridge Wells Business Awards in the category of Best Business, 1-25 Employees.

HR Revolution was also a finalist in Service Excellence, and Wendy Read a runnerup for Business Woman of the Year in the Kent Women in Business Awards. ■ www.hrrevolution.co.uk IMAGE: HR Revolution

DONKEY’S DAY OUT!

Be a tourist in your own town!

“Visit Tunbridge Wells, the official tourist information website for the borough, will be sure to fill your weekends with events and things to do! View information on walks, attractions, eateries, shopping, itineraries and more.

Follow our events calendar and social media for inspiration.

Instagram: @OfficialVisitTunbridgeWells Facebook: Visit Tunbridge Wells Twitter: @TwellsTourism Would you like to contribute to our blog written by local residents and businesses?

Email business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk with the subject “Visit Tunbridge Well blog”. With 20,000 views a month on our website we’d like to offer businesses the opportunity for free or paid promotion through our directory listings. Get in touch!” ■ www.visittunbridgewells.com

LIBRARIES MAY BE QUIET SPACES, BUT IT’S TIME TO shout ABOUT THE AMELIA SCOTT MONSON ROAD

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THE AMELIA .CO.UK @ RTWTOGETHER

“It feels unbelievably exciting to finally be here, it’s been a long time coming, and it’s been quite a difficult journey, but it’s better than I ever could have expected. It’s really lovely seeing people using it for real. I get a real kick out of coming here and seeing kids curled up under the reading tree or people being surprised by something new they’ve discovered about the town, and the Adult Education looks absolutely superb.

The launch day was brilliant, and it was a nice mixture of people - local businesses, residents and community groups, and the feedback I’ve had has been excellent. I said at the opening that one of the local shopkeepers calls this her cathedral, and she talks about it giving her hope for a post-Covid world.

Certainly with the numbers we’re seeing coming through the door, I’m very sure that as well as coming here, people will be going out and about nearby, browsing, having a drink and a bite to eat, so I think it will be good for the town centre economy.

Town centres need to reinvent themselves - I think Tunbridge Wells has done a really good job of this, and with the fact that we’ve got so many independents, they’ve been very fleet of foot throughout the pandemic and moved

to new methods of delivery. Increased home working may help local businesses, but you do need a purpose to come to town, and looking around the Amelia now, this isn’t something you can do online, you actually have to be here to appreciate the objects, the exhibits, the interaction, and the learning, so I think it’s going to be very good news indeed for the town centre.

I think the space and the usage will evolve.

What’s brilliant about the team is that they’re really open to ideas, so people have been approaching us about having networking events here, some of the town’s major employers having anniversaries and asking if they can commemorate it here, and I’m

BID BUSINESS

Years in the making, the towering homage to books and learning, the Amelia Scott cultural hub, is now open on Monson Road. A community beacon for the town centre, the successful launch marks an outstanding boost of positivity for the area, and a milestone achievement for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and partners. RTW Together caught up with TWBC Chief Executive William Benson and the Amelia Scott team to hear how the project came to fruition.

“It’s better than I ever could have expected.” really pleased that we’re having some After Dark, ‘night at the museum’-type events.

We’ve built flexibility in: the library shelves can all be pushed away and the exhibition space can be reconfigured endlessly, so we can adapt.

We also host the standard Council services here, and lots of people are accessing them.

On the day we opened, because I was wearing an Amelia Scott t-shirt, people were approaching me and I was helping people, amazingly I managed to help a lady look something up regarding trees on a planning application! It’s one of the things that the Arts Council, and that I like about it - the Gateway was fantastic but you’d go in, carry out a transaction and leave, and I can really

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imagine a mum or dad coming in for a housing or planning application, and being intrigued by something going on, and sitting there while their kids do an activity, or noticing something on the wall about a talk that’s coming up, and people getting more and more involved. I think it will become part of the community, and besides Council services, you can also get tourist advice, the registry office is here and the Adult Education Centre. We’ve got an Artist in Residence space and that’s traditional painters and sculptors, but also digital art, and there’s a whole learning suite in the basement to bring schools in. Silversmithing looks amazing, I have to say, it really makes me want to give things a try!

It was really nice to have Amelia Scott’s descendants at the launch event. They were both inspired and inspiring. What was lovely is that before the opening, they left us with her broach, so the picture we have of her she’s wearing the broach, and then it’s in the cabinet beneath.

In terms of my favourite part of the building, it’s probably a couple of things; I really like the childrens’ library, because I don’t think I’ve seen a better example where the books are all at their level with places where kids can just be and hangout, and... it’s so difficult to choose! I do tend to sit in the courtyard, because you can look at people, with the cafe buzzing, and you can see into the atrium, which is probably the most spectacular part - there are too many things to choose from!”

CHR I S P OT T E R CO U NT RY S P O RT S

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TH E AMELIA SCOTT COMBIN ES H ISTORY, LITERATU RE AN D COU N CIL SERVICES.

Jeremy Kimmel, Arts, Heritage and Engagement Director, has been instrumental in bringing the Amelia Scott vision to the public. @ RTWTOGETHER

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BID BUSINESS

“It’s the culmination of about 7 years of work for me, so it’s lovely, it brings together everything we wanted to do in one place. The feedback has been phenomenal, I’ve loved hearing ‘I can see where the money went,’ and ‘Amelia would have loved this.’

We’re able to tell all of these new stories, and shift the narrative of Tunbridge Wells from being this place of being really exclusive, to bringing everyone into the story.

We can help people as well, with all of the services that we can provide here now.

They’re not spread out, it’s all in one place.

Amelia Scott believed in lifting people up, in helping each other, so that’s what we’ve tried to do here.

It’s tricky to balance hosting standard services with the cultural elements, and there’s no template for this, this has never been done! So we’re finding out as we go, but our operations team and our front of house team are magical people, and they are so knowledgeable, and they’re learning so much as well. They’re a collection of different people from various backgrounds, all learning from each other, gaining all this information. We’re able to bring a human approach to this whole thing, so members of staff are the first thing you see when you walk in, and it’s ‘How can I help you?’ We try to triage people. So it’s a balancing act, but I think the aspects are all related, it’s removing those divides.

We opened on a Thursday, and in a half day we had a thousand people through the door, and the next day it was 1,200, and we’re averaging between 900 and 1300 people a day so far.

That’ll go up and down. But the cafe is full all of the time, and days when we used to be so quiet, there’s always people in here. People have really embraced it, but as with anything, it’s going to be about them continuing to use it. Some of the responsibility for that is on us,

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in terms of what we have on, and exhibitions and programming, and we have some great stuff lined up, but equally, it’s about people showing this is what they want by using it.

What’s my favourite part? It’s hard to not like the Georgian Spa, it’s just opulent in every way, the costumes, even the colour on the walls screams grandeur and I love that. But equally I love the work room, because it’s telling a lot of stories of just normal people who did things and invented things off their own initiative, which is amazing. I don’t know, I genuinely love the whole thing! I love the atrium for its potential, I love the childrens’ library for what it’s going to do for families, and the wonder I’ve already seen in children’s eyes. And this is going to sound really boring and corporate, but I actually love having the Council services in here,

“There’s no template for this, this has never been done!” because people are coming in here presenting as homeless, or needing help, fleeing the violence in the Ukraine - they’re coming to this place that’s not this cold box, and this is what we are, this is what Tunbridge Wells is.

It’s a funny mix of history and literature and life, please come in - and that to me is what this whole thing is about. All of these spaces are phenomenal, and what we’ll do with them is going to be phenomenal, but the community of welcoming you in, accepting you, that is really important.

I’m really proud of everything that we’ve accomplished here.”

The Amelia Scott is open seven days a week, for access to library, museum, Adult Education and Council services. ■ @ RTWTOGETHER

T H E M A S S AG E CO M PA N Y

FIN E GRI N D AT T H E A M E L I A

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THE WINNER BAKES IT ALL

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Winner Sarah Betts, Taste Wells (centre), with trophy creator Claudia Wiegand, Glass by Claudia (left) and KMFM host Alex West (right). @ RTWTOGETHER

ee l i b Ju t! n eve

BID PROJECT

Taste Wells baked their way to victory in first ever Tunbridge Wells Cake Off!

Taste Wells of Royal Victoria Place shopping centre have beaten the Pantiles traders to scoop the inaugural Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off trophy, 2022.

Designed to support the town centre’s hospitality sector while celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off is the concept of the RTW Together Business Improvement District.

The chosen cake was an Elizabeth vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and rose water icing, decorated with edible rose petals and white crown.

Taking place on Saturday 4th June, 11am3pm, on the Pantiles, members of the public sampled a variety of free ‘royal themed’ cakes, and voted for their favourite in their droves.

Taste Wells were the cream of the crop by only ONE VOTE, narrowly beating rivals The Zero Waste Company, Pantiles, and their Pimms and orange entry. The Cake Shed, Pantiles, came in a close third. Other contestants included Ruby’s of London, Monson Rd, The Plant Base, Camden Rd, Il Vesuvio, Camden Rd, Bubba & Me, Mount Pleasant and the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Pantiles. Three vegan cakes were entered, ensuring there was something for everyone.

THE WINNING ENTRY (PHOTO: TASTE WELLS)

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Taste Wells founder, Sarah, who entered along with husband Derek and collaborating partner, Chef ’s Pantry, says “We’re really, really chuffed, I told the team and they were all really pleased, it’s been amazing. We’ve worked with Chef ’s Pantry for 15 years now.

It’s just been great to take part, alongside so many other businesses, it’s just brilliant – hopefully it’ll be something we can do on an annual basis, it’s good for the town, and for independent retailers. We’ll be displaying the trophy in our shop! As a top of town business, taking the title during an event on The Pantiles is the icing on the cake!”

“It’s just been great to take part, alongside so many other businesses, it’s just brilliant!”

And it was a double day of celebrations for Taste Wells, who also marked 18 years since their opening on June 4th!

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The event also featured live music from vintage jazz band Miss Kiddy and the Cads, as well as compering and music from KMFM. Other attractions included free face painting for children, with donations collected for local food bank charity, Nourish.

BID Director Sarah-Jane Adams was on hand to check who was whipping up the dessert of dreams - “We’re so pleased at the response the Cake Off has had – we were overwhelmed with visitors and despite having such a large quantity, ran out of cake much quicker than anticipated! It was exciting to see so many people of all generations sampling cake from across the town centre and hearing about hospitality names they hadn’t been to before, and for families to enjoy the free face painting and live music – there was a lot of fun with our chefs on stilts! Will there be a Cake Off 2023? Watch this plate!”

ABOVE: A YOUNG FAN ENJOYS THE VINTAGE JAZZ OF MISS KIDDY AND THE CADS LEFT: FREE FACE PAINTING APLENTY ON THE PANTILES

The winner was crowned on the bandstand at 3pm, and received the Cake Off glass trophy, specially commissioned by the BID with Monson Road creative Glass by Claudia. In partnership with the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Pantiles, the winning business will also receive an overnight stay for two in the honeymoon suite. The victorious cake maker will also feature on the front cover of the July issue of local SO Magazine, as well as the BID’s own town centre publication.

Owner of the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Julian Leefe-Griffiths, commented “It’s great to have a Tunbridge Wells Cake Off – we’re practicing

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RTW Together has also been producing a ‘cakeumentary’ film in the run up to the competition, created by Camden Road resident Simon Cossons, following the businesses as they prepare for baking battle, and created a souvenir booklet showcasing not just those taking part, but other town centre coffee and cake stops, such as Fine Grind, Momentum, Crumbs and Treacle, Black Dog Café, Kumquat Café, Hotel Chocolat, The Pantiles Café, Hudsons Bistro and Emilio’s Coffee. 1k copies were given away at the Cake Off.

READY FOR BATTER

Julian, Tunbridge Wells Hotel

The promotional team also put on a taster event in Royal Victoria Place shopping centre on Friday 3rd June, promoting the event and giving away free cherry and Maderia cake from Larratt & Co, Chapel Place. ■

already, and hopefully we’ll compete strongly and do something lovely for the day. If it’s sunny we’ll do something fruit driven, and if it’s a bit colder we might go chocolate.

The Jubilee is going to be fantastic, May and June are always, I think, the most beautiful summer months, hopefully the Queen turns out all chirpy, and will be celebrating, if not in Tunbridge Wells then somewhere equally Royal! Our plan for battle? Take everyone on and win!”

Fellow contestant Geff Stone, of The Plant Base, said before the day “It’s great to be part of the Cake Off! We love these events that bring the town together - we’re proud to be joining our fellow traders and look forward to destroying them in a friendly competition!”

MAN WITH A PLANT

Geff, The Plant Base

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It’s history in the baking!

If you (fondant) fancy heading behind the cream scenes of this super-sweet Jubilee event, you can watch the two-part Cake Off Cakeumentary by searching ‘Cakeumentary’ on YouTube. Piece of cake!

SEARCH ‘ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOGETHER BID’ ON YOUTUBE AND HIT SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE CUPCAKES UPDATES

ABOVE: THE CLOSE RUNNER UP ENTRY FROM THE ZERO WASTE COMPANY B E L O W : O W N E R H O L LY S H O W S O F F A N O T H E R CAKEY CREATION OUTSIDE THE SHOP

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Everyone say cheese(cake)!

ABOVE: A GEM OF A JUBILEE CAKE FROM RUBY’S OF LONDON, MONSON ROAD RIGHT: TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOTEL GETTING READY TO SERVE UP A SLICE OF CELEBRATION

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by their covers

BID BUSINESS

Judging books

Specialising in James Bond, and operating since 1898, Hall’s Bookshop has a license to till.

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For 124 years, the shelves of Hall’s Bookshop have groaned under the weight of lofty tomes and finest first editions. With sister business, Adriangton Harrington Rare Books, this bookworm of a building has been impressing visitors to Chapel Place through two world wars, and the war on Kindles - although the learned staff welcome reading in all its formats.

“We sell rare books, first editions, collectible books, signed and inscribed. On occasion we sell author’s manuscripts and typescripts as well, which is the very first incarnation of a book. We also look at all forms of the book, proof copies, galley copies, so these are prepublication aspects. Downstairs we also sell more affordable copies, later editions, reprints and paperbacks.

We deal in mainly 19th and 20th century English literature, although we do occasionally have some foreign books in translation, and children’s books. We try and have highlights in all areas, a little science, a little travel, history, typography, and our main specialism

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is crime fiction and espionage, in particular the James Bond novels and Ian Fleming.

They’ve always been popular, so it’s customer demand that leads that specialism, but I have a particular interest in - and have written about - Bond, and am heavily involved of various aspects such as the Ian Fleming estate and Ian Fleming Publications, who look after the copyright for Bond. My second job other than being a bookseller is as a bibliographer, so I study the history of books, the publication, and I inform people on what to look for when searching for a first edition. I feel very fortunate because it takes me around the world going to book fairs and sourcing materials and placing them with institutions.

“Everything can be read, as long as you do it carefully!”

TREAT YOUR SHELF AT THIS BOOKWORM’S PARADISE

We deal at the very highest level, wth some amazing collections and manuscripts, but then we sell the popular James Bond paperbacks downstairs, which are just going to be a few pounds each, so it really does cover all budgets and people can start collecting Bond very easily.

There’s a difference between rarity and value; there are some incredibly rare manuscripts, we occassionally come uncross unpublished items, so there might only be one known copy, but value depends on demand and supply. So the Harry Potter books, the first in the series, there were only 500 copies, intended to go to schools and libraries, and they never had a dust jacket, almost like a textbook - most of those, certainly the copies that went to libraries will be library stamped, might have some kind of sticky-back plastic on them, and will be very heavily read and @ RTWTOGETHER

lent out, so to find a fine one, a truly fine one as new, is a really difficult task and when they come up for auction they go for serious money. There was one not so long ago which made £300,000 at auction in the States, and even poor copies can go for tens of thousands. People think, hang on, it’s Harry Potter, it’s brand new, but that’s irrelevant, it’s all about the economics.

People often ask about ebooks, and Kindles, but I have no issue at all with that. We sell books that are icons, but the best thing is for people to read. If children read on a tablet, or see a film and it encourages them to read, that’s great. It’s not a competition, but it might encourage people, as they grow up or gain employment, to then want to own the original. So that’s great, it will help us. And oi course, we’re concerned with preserving books, trying to keep them in nice condition and complete, and if a Kindle means you don’t take don’t have to take 4 or 5 books on holiday that might get bumped around in

your suitcase, then that’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned.

Some of our books are a few hundred years old, but they’re perfectly fine for reading.

Leather was a traditional material for covering a book, but leather does dry out.

It’s just like your skin, we are covered in leather, and it needs to be moisturised. So we do polish our books and renovate them, cream them, just to keep the joints supple.

When they dry out, and you open the cover too fiercely, it can crack, and in extreme cases it may just break off. But if it’s kept in normal conditions, not too bright, not in direct sunlight, they can be looked after.

And the more you handle a leather binding, beacuse we have oils on our hands, it actually appreciates it. The worst thing is to leave a book for 20 or 30 years and then open it and read it enthusiastically, it won’t stand up to that, but if you handle it regularly, your palms will naturally nourish the leather. Everything can be read, as long as you do it carefully.

Unless it’s really rare and fragile, perhaps with brittle paper, you don’t have to have white gloves. And certainly the things we sell, they’re to be respected, but they are there to used, and enjoyed - after all, they are your books, and the worst thing, I would say, would be to put it away where you can’t appreciate it.” ■ W W W. RT W TO G E T H E R .CO M

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TAKING HER FIRST STEPS IN RETAIL IS child’s PLAY FOR GEORGIA KNIGHT MOUNT PLEASANT

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BUBBA ANDME .CO.UK @ RTWTOGETHER

BID BUSINESS

Born from the pandemic, Bubba&Me is the second child of new mother Georgia Knight - delivered to offer support for new parents in Tunbridge Wells. RTW Together visited the business that’s in its infancy.

“I’m Georgia Knight, I moved to Tunbridge Wells in 2020 having left London and loved the area, having seen there are so many parents just like me, but I didn’t necessarily feel there was a place to go. Bubba&Me originally started online, we built the website and ship nationally at the moment, but then I decided to take the idea a little bit further and develop a retail space, and become a community hub for parents. The concept of Bubba&Me is helping parents navigate their way through pregnancy and the early years, going all the way through to five years. We hope to take them on the full journey with us from the outset.

Downstairs we’ve got the shop and a café area at the back and a little play area where children can play freely while parents relax with coffee and teas after shopping. We’re also working with a company called Lune and Wild, and they are supplying nutritious weaning meals, so from the age of 6 months, we have different purees, and healthy food for children. We’re also working with a lovely coffee company, they do all their roasting in Staplehurst, so we’re partnering with some great independent businesses in the café area and also within the shop itself. And then upstairs we’ve got an incredible event space, and I’m working with some of the best specialists in the Kent and East Sussex area, in areas such as yoga and pilates, and talks on sleep, so we have different experts come in to host classes, and I’m just hoping that Bubba&Me can be a support for parents in Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.

The different elements of the business each serve a purpose and help each other out, so

THE MOUNT PLEASANT STORE PICTURED PRE-LAUNCH

for the pregnancy classes we’ll be holding, we have amazing pregnancy pillows in the store, so we’re here to facilitate whatever parents need.

“The things I’ve built are the things I was looking for with my little girl.”

I think because I gave birth in January 2020, and then a couple of months later we went into lockdown, I really felt like I didn’t have any support or community, other than my parents, whilst I was raising my daughter. All the things I’ve built for Bubba&Me are the things I was looking for with my little girl.

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BID BUSINESS

Retail is a tough market to crack, and first of all, being online is so important – what I think we’ve learnt from the pandemic is that you need the online aspect to any business, just incase any future situations arise. Going from a digital brand to a bricks and mortar store is challenging, and having had the idea during lockdown, it was touch and go as to whether I’d actually do it.

Actually, I noticed in Tunbridge Wells, compared to other areas, that after lockdown we’ve come back bouncing. The high street seems to be thriving, and there’s a real buzz around town. So I feel confident in my decision to take this from online to a physical premises, but I don’t think I would have done it if it weren’t Tunbridge Wells, I wouldn’t have picked this up in any other area. I really do just feel that it’s got the right audience for my offering, and it’s got a really growing and thriving high street.

still got a great atmosphere to it, you’re not far from London, there’s a young community here. So it was Tunbridge Wells that partly inspired the business.

Opening here is very exciting, I just can’t wait to welcome everyone. We’re open to ideas and suggestions, it’s going to be the community that helps us grow and develop and expand on our offering. If customers want to see particular products, or particular classes, I am all ears, I’m always ready to listen and to learn!” ■

Upcoming events!

CREATIVE DANCE FOR AGES 3 & 4 WITH CASCADE

3 week course, from 4th July, 1-1.45pm TINY TURNERS BABY BALLET WITH THE VILLAGE SCHOOL OF DANCE

7th July, 10-11am COUPLES’ BIRTH REFRESHER WITH BRIGID GODWIN

23rd July, 9.30am-1.30pm

I live here, and like me, I noticed that there were so many parents that made the decision, during the pandemic, to move to Tunbridge Wells. Obviously there are great schools, it’s

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T H E M A S S AG E CO M PA N Y

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BID BUSINESS

DRESS FOR SUCCESS, THE EASY WAY! Fenwick, Royal Victoria Place, are taking the hassle out of fashion with their complimentary

outfits and black tie events, so there are multiple occasions we can cater to.

I used to work on the jewellery department, and the role came up; I love fashion, I love being able to help customers find what they need.

We’re seeing a lot more bright colours for

personal shopping service “My name’s Alex, and I’m the Personal Shopper here at Fenwick Tunbridge Wells. It’s a complimentary service, which we brought in last year to be able to help customers who may be struggling to find things in store. We work around the whole store, and are based around the concierge service as well, so we’re able to send products out to customers at home as well as in person.

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@ RTWTOGETHER

summer, pinks, greens, and being able to mix those colours together. Especially in the bright weather, and after Covid, being able to wear something cheerful is great. Being able to dress up again is back!

Especially with weddings now being able to go ahead, we’re seeing more mother of the bride customers, and having this space to bring the whole bridal party to is lovely.

one of our brands, Never Fully Dressed, with 8 appointments of half an hour long. We showcased all the products from that brand, with a glass of prosecco, cupcakes and a goodie bag.

There are three ways to book an appointment - come into store and speak to anyone on the shop floor, they can always call me through the concierge or personal shopping number, or you can book online through the Fenwick website.

The concierge service is based around building a customer relationship, being able to help you from home, whether you email in or give us a call, we’re able to help you from the shop and advise on products.

We want to give time back to our customer, so you can do it from behind your work desk, and even if we don’t stock something in our store, we can check other locations. If you want advice on specialist

I offer personal shopping across the whole store, so that encompasses male and female fashion, and we try to tailor the experience to everyone. I’m qualified in beauty therapy, so I can also help with beauty and skincare. I’ve been trained by the London College of Style, so I know what colours suit certain people, and I’m there to direct you into which brands you may like, and it’s nice to have someone there to offer advice.

It’s an experience, you can come in with friends, have a glass of champagne, and we do events. We’ve just had an event with

LET SOMEON E ELSE SH OP ‘TIL TH EY D ROP ON YOUR BEH ALF!

topics like interior design, there other stores within Fenwick that we can reach out to that have got those specific skills.

If you have an occasion coming up, you’re just not sure what to do with your wardrobe, or you need help with birthday or Christmas presents, let us do the hard shopping work for you!” ■ www.fenwick.co.uk/stores/tunbridge-wells

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SOPRAN O, H IGH STREET

CH APEL PLACE

TH E P E RFECT PROMENADE IThe S S UPantiles E#3

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SINGING IN

BID PROJECT

the rain!

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There’s plenty to do in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre, whatever the weather! So if summer turns into a washout, our short musical film will lift the clouds!

After successfully producing a popular promotional film for Christmas 2021, the BID’s small screen aspirations didn’t end there - which is why we recently released the spring sequel! This time we hit a high note with vintage singer Miss Holiday Swing, as she explores a rainy town centre during her rendition of April Showers.

With over a thousand views on Youtube, visitors and residents have been watching up a storm as star Holly brushes off the precipitation to visit local businesses such as the Assembly Hall Theatre, TN1, the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Mrs Florist and Royal Victoria Place shopping centre.

Enjoy at: youtu.be/MRd6wG8ToDc T H E A S S E M B LY H A L L T H E AT R E

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BID PROJECT

PUTTING ON A SHOW FOR ROSIE BAYLISS HAIR, AND WEST KENT RADIO.

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BID BUSINESS

T HE PA N T IL ES

I T O N LY R A I N S BUBBLES IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS!

T H E PA N T I L E S

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SOPRAN O, H IGH STREET

CH APEL PLACE

TE A FOR T UNE ISinging S S U E #for 3 her supper in the Tunbridge Wells Hotel

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RAIN OR SHINE - STROLLING DOWN THE PANTILES AND THROUGH ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE

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BID BUSINESS

THE BUSINESS VISION OF SPECSAVERS IS LOOKING 20/20 MOUNT PLEASANT

Sight specialists Specsavers, in Mount Pleasant Road, have their eyes on the future of optometry.

“There’s obviously a reason why it’s important to have a sight test on a fairly regular basis, and some of the tests we have can detect eye problems about 4 to 5 years in advance of normal methods. We can scan the eye in 3D, which saves us referring in some cases.

frames will suit you from our range. There is technology already out there that will scan your head, and work out which frames will fit you. I think 3D printing will come into it, and choosing frames in the colour you want, rather than in the colour we tell you we have.

In the next few years, optometry is going to change again I think, in terms of technology.

We can get you a prescription in store without you saying a word - so you look at a light, and react to that light, and it can work out your prescription, and it’s more accurate.

I think the technology will start to become more and more part of the journey for the customer. As the younger generations come through, they’re more used to it. We already use something called a frame styler, so we can scan your face and it will tell you what ISSUE#3

Specsavers is leading the way in this technology on the high street. The OCT we’ve had for about 4 years, there were only a handful of independents who had it beforehand, and they were charging a lot more than we would. We’re the only one on the high street who has it in every single store.

I also think AI will become more integrated - one of the large London hospitals have connected up an AI computer to the OCT machine, and it’s more accurate than the top

@ RTWTOGETHER

ten ophthalmologists in the country. I think people will start to trust it more, and sometimes customers trust machines more than a person as it’s a definite answer. It’s a case of us making sure we’re at the front of it, so in this store, we’re going to be trialling something that will potentially change the way our stores operate across the country.

It’s taking three different elements of technology and putting them together into one consistent journey, and I think that will certainly help us.

In terms of the team here, we employ people based on their personality, and all the training takes place in store.

So for example we sponsor around 15 bowls clubs, and we’re also looking at various different events. It’s also important we work to attract kids into optometry - I’d never considered it as a career, I hadn’t even had an eye test until I was 50! But it’s an interesting role.

We’re contacting local schools, and around 3 of our colleagues here are apprentices so they’ve joined us rather than necessarily staying on through further education, and in terms of career progression, one of our staff started as a Saturday assistant in the Maidstone branch, and is now a Dispensing Optician.

Our audiologist used to be Assistant Manager here, and she’s now trained to be a hearing aid dispenser, newly qualified. Another former Saturday assistant has been sponsored through a degree course, and she will be an optician by July of this year.

During the pandemic, it felt like there was a need to keep our heads down and just work out what needed to be done to survive and

There are about 1500 pairs of glasses that go through here in a week - we glaze in this store, in our lab, for four stores.” ■

PICTURED : TH ERE’ S N O EY E IN TEAM AT TH IS PEOPLE-FOCU SED BRAN CH

make it work, and now we’re looking at how we can go out and help the local community.

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Tunbridge Wells is a wonderful place for young families with our beautiful parks, the Kent countryside on our doorstep and now an increasing number of independents catering for our younger residents. As a parent of young children myself, you’ll often find me at the following independents, all of which are TN card partners: STAMPEDE 6B CAMDEN ROAD, TN1 2PT JESS GIBSON

TN Card talks

town centre!

RTW Together welcomes guest columnist, Jess Gibson of the TN card, a Tunbridge Wells reward scheme, to share her tips for expertly exploring our town centre’s independent scene.

IMAGES: JESS GIBSON

The TN card is proud to support over 600 independent businesses in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, whilst raising funds for West Kent Mind. Members pay £2.99 a month or £24.99 a year to access hundreds of rewards for supporting local.

For more information visit thetncard.com or download the TN card app on iOS and Google Play.

Since it opened in 2005, this independent children’s shoe shop has gone from strength to strength, and is much loved by parents in Tunbridge Wells and further afield for good reason. Owner Donna is an expert in children’s shoefitting and has won a host of industry awards.

Stampede stocks stylish footwear for children of all ages that protect and care for young feet.

There are over thirty brands on the shelves with everything from seasonal styles and cool, limited editions to hard-wearing school shoes and wellies. Donna also offers quality children’s clothing and balloon styling for every occasion.

Claudia’s Place is small but perfectly formed, with a soft play area for under eights, a crèche and a café rolled into one. Her wonderful food and hospitality are reason enough to visit, but it’s also a place where parents can meet knowing their children are happy and well cared for.

Purchasing children’s shoes is never easy but Donna and her fully trained and knowledgeable staff make the process as stress-free as possible and parents can rest assured that their child’s feet are in good hands.

TN CARD MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% DISCOUNT ON FULL PRICE PURCHASES IN STORE

CLAUDIA’S PLACE VALE ROYAL METHODIST CHURCH, VALE ROAD, TN1 1BX Claudia is well known in our community for having been the face (and name) behind Casa Da Claudia on Castle Street. Her latest venture is Claudia’s Place - a brilliant new soft play café next to Oakley Fitness, in the heart of town.

Claudia’s Place is open from 8.30am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8.30am to 2pm on Saturdays.

TN CARD MEMBERS RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY HOT DRINK WHEN VISITING THE CAFE

THE INSIDE CALVERLEY ADVENTURE GROUNDS, TN1 1EP Calverley Adventure Grounds in Calverley Park is one of our favourite places in Tunbridge Wells. The Inside, nestled within, adds a little extra magic. The café epitomises all that’s special about our independents - owner Laura has put lots of hard work, care and love into creating somewhere special for children (and adults) to enjoy.

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The food at The Inside is homemade, hearty and sourced locally – such as fresh salads, toasties and children’s picnic boxes. Extra touches include the bags of eco friendly toys for the very young to borrow and gorgeous craft kits to purchase made by Laura herself.

Manager Matt is a kid at heart and will often be dressed up as Batman or some other superhero. He and the team couldn’t be more passionate or knowledgeable about their products and are on hand to help find the perfect gift for any age. We often visit for inspiration and leave with toys that are much loved by their recipient. ■ TN CARD MEMBERS RECEIVE 10% OFF FULL PRICE PURCHASES IN STORE

Visit at Christmas or Easter and you’ll see the café transformed into a giant Gingerbread House perhaps or decorated in Easter eggs, with activities generously put on by Laura for the children.

TN CARD MEMBERS RECEIVE 15% OFF FOOD PURCHASES

WHIRLIGIG 90-92 MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD, TN1 1RT This very special toyshop stocks a huge collection of things to make and do, designed to engage children and to get them thinking and creating. There are puzzles, construction kits, wooden toys, craft sets, retro toys, ecofriendly gifts and so much more. The shop is a delight to browse and children are kept enthralled by the mechanical model kits.

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@ RTWTOGETHER

Pick up your paint brushes and get out the glue, because ART WEEK is coming to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre!

G E T HE

22-29 AUGUST

WT

R

O

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ARTWEEK

Brought to you by RTW Together Business Improvement District, the first ever Art Week (22-29 August) will provide a programme of FREE arts and craft activities, talks and workshops - in areas such as illustration, photography, fashion, jewellery, glass and ceramics - for members of the public to enjoy. The aim of the week is to draw footfall to the town centre, promote your business to ensure you gain new customers, and raise awareness of all the creative outlets the BID area has to offer.

From fine art to finger painting, all levels will be catered for!

Here’s how your business can get involved – for free!

Host an arty class, making session or workshop, inside your business, for grown ups or children – we’ll subsidise the costs, and promote the event as free for the public to attend.

If places are limited, we’ll handle booking the slots for you.

Give an online, or in person talk about your specialist subject or skillset – share your knowledge as jewellers, crafters and makers, curators, antiques experts, framers and artists. We’ll make sure you have a captive audience.

Put on, or promote, an exhibition or display – ideal for galleries, theatres and event spaces.

Be a host venue for a BID organised activity such as a live painting session or fashion show to draw in customers and showcase products.

Be an official stockist of art supplies – great for retailers and stationers who sell relevant products.

Give out our town centre colouring book and postcards in your business (supplied free)

OTHER IDEAS FOR COLLABORATION? LET US KNOW! All businesses involved will also benefit from publicity in our press and advertising coverage, social media campaigns, professional photography and videos and promotional activities – at no cost.

Contact biddirector@rtwtogether.com W W W. RT W TO G E T H E R .CO M

www.rtwtogether.com

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@rtwtogether |

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BID BUSINESS

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS IN PEAK HEALTH WITH BDHL Protect your business from a pandemic of poor planning with Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited “The past couple of years have shown us how susceptible our businesses and ourselves are to health issues. Getting back to the new normal means long delays for GP appointments, access to medical treatment with long waiting lists and uncertainty of how long key employees are likely to be away from work in the event of illness.

Small businesses and owner-managed businesses are most at risk from sickness and injury to themselves as well as any member ISSUE#3

of their team. In a company of 5 employees one person off sick represents 20% of the work force absent due to sickness adding pressure to the other team members and the business.

Recent reports suggest that NHS lists are already up to almost 6.5 million* people waiting for an operation, some life threatening some less so. You can be sure however, the care will be excellent when you get to the top of the list, but how long will it take?

Insurance is all about what might happen and not what has already happened, it is vital that you consider what could happen to your business if you or one of your team needs treatment and you may have to wait weeks, months, or years in certain cases.

Private medical Insurance can put you more in the driving seat with quicker access to diagnostics, treatment and ultimately return to good health and a return to work. @ RTWTOGETHER

Most policies now come with Video GP and fast access to scans and diagnostic tests as well as access to mental health support when needed. They do not have to be expensive, and a business paid scheme can start from as little as two employees. All policies can be flexible in their make up with opt-in and opt-out benefits to suit your requirements and budgets.

Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited (bdhl.co.uk) based in the centre of Tunbridge Wells since 1995 is a fully FCA regulated broker advising on Healthrelated business protection insurances such as: Share Holder or Partnership Protection Group Life & Critical Illness Income Protection Business Loan Protection Key Person Cover Medical Insurance Company Dental and Cash Plans It costs nothing to request quotes or have a discussion on what might be relevant to you and your team.

Our “Challenge Charlie” program is in full swing and open to all businesses and individuals in RTW Together who might be wanting to discuss their Health Protection requirements whether a new interest or wanting to review and exiting policy for competitiveness and appropriateness.

In Tunbridge Wells we are lucky to have two private hospitals as well as The Wells Suite private rooms at Pembury Hospital so you will not have to travel too far for your treatment.

We take our physical and mental health for granted, this combined with running a business often means we forget how our health can affect our ability to turn up to work or even open the business in the morning.

PICTURED : D IRECTOR GUY JON ES AN D TEAM ARE READY TO D IAGN OSE TH E RIGH T IN SURAN CE!

We have clients of all shapes and sizes all over the world so it would be unusual to have someone ask us a question we have not dealt with before. Please visit our web sites www. bdhl.co.uk and www.bdglobalmedical.com to see more about us and to view our T&Cs and our Privacy Policy.” ■

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FR EE

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

TOGETHER ISSUE 3

• SUMMER

2022

TOWN CENTRE magazine

COVER STORY

WATCH this plate!

44

TASTE WELLS GIVE COMPETITION A BATTERING AT FIRST CAKE OFF!

PAGES OF TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES AND STORIES

INCLUDES: THE AMELIA SCOTT BUBBA & ME H A L L’ S B O O KS H O P THE SPA HOTEL FENWICK PERSONAL SHOPPING

RTW TOGETHER BRINGS ART WEEK TO TOWN CENTRE

&MORE!

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

•

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