Positive Feedback for New Angel Centre

The plans for the new Angel Centre have received a positive response from the public in a recent exhibition.

There has been strong support for proposals to build a landmark new Angel Centre, following a period of public engagement before the scheme is submitted to planners.  

 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council recently revealed designs for the new look Angel Centre and launched an exhibition showcasing the proposals for the multi-million-pound facility. The public were also invited to share their views about the plans in a survey. 

 Results revealed that over two thirds of the 436 people who responded are in favour of the scheme (67.67%) while more than half (56.3%) believe the proposals are an improvement on the current facility. People felt positive about the use of red brick built for the exterior of the building, reflecting the character of Tonbridge town and more than 70% of those surveyed support the introduction of a green ‘living wall’.  

 During the week‑long engagement (Feb 16 – 22) more than 6,500 people visited the council’s dedicated website for the new Angel Centre development to learn more about the proposals. The project includes an expanded gym, three multi‑purpose studios/meeting rooms, a dedicated spin studio, a wellness zone, a soft play area and a café. These new facilities have been included as a result of a survey conducted over the summer which focussed on what amenities the centre should have. 

Now plans have progressed, to include a fresh new look for the proposed exterior, seen for the first time during the public engagement. 

 An estimated 700 people came to the Angel Centre to speak to the project team, who were on hand to guide people through the exhibition every day between 10am and 3pm.  

 If approved the centre will move to the site of Sovereign Way Mid car park where it will continue to be operated by the council’s leisure partner tmactive . The riverside location and energy efficient design is shaped by the tonbridge Town Centre Masterplan, which sets out a vision for the town centre, transforming underused land into a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable neighbourhood.   

Cllr Adem Mehmet, who represents Trench ward in Tonbridge and is Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Tonbridge Regeneration, said: “These results provide a vote of confidence for what would be the town’s first leisure development of its kind in decades.  

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who filled in the survey and to those who came to meet our architects and project team in person.  

“The team found it helpful to listen to the views of visitors and to read the survey comments, which have already helped to refine some elements of the scheme. 

“The existing Angel Centre has served Tonbridge well for over 40-years, and now it has come to the end of its useful life, we want to replace it with something that the town can be proud of. With this valuable input from the community we feel we are another step closer to achieving that.”   

The proposals for the new Angel Centre will be submitted to planners for consideration on Monday 9 March, 2026.