KFC is closing in Tunbridge Wells

Pam Mills

The shopping centre’s management has told the fast food eatery’s franchisee they are looking to turn the downstairs precinct into something ‘different’.

In its 1990s and 2000s heyday, the Food Court was home to around a dozen places to eat, with Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC] a staple.

Their departure next month will leave just McDonald’s, Spud-U-Like and Subway.A KFC spokesman said: “Our RVP restaurant is closing in November as the shopping centre owners have decided to refurbish the Food Court for a different use.

“We’ve had a great run serving our Tunbridge Wells fans and hope to have some good news on a potential new restaurant in the area soon.

“For fans who can’t wait for that, our Dowding Way restaurant is only a ten minute drive away.”
Their branch in Tonbridge High Street is set to be retained.

RVP has seen a host of big name brands depart, including H&M Kids and Mothercare.
In the past few years the Food Court alone has lost coffee shop Ismail Coffee & Tea, The Nutmeg Tree, Café Giardino and Papa John’s Pizza.

Meanwhile, the shopping is set to be undergoing a £70million extension after plans for more shops and a cinema on the Calverley Road / Camden Road corner were passed in 2016.

The centre was bought by British Land earlier this year, in a deal said to be worth £96million.
A spokesman offered: “KFC’s lease has come to a natural end and plans for redevelopment are still being worked through.”

British Land has yet to release details of its plans for RVP or the timeframe for any changes.

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