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Good Morning! This week we look at The Moving Mug's battle with the council, the name chosen for a new restaurant and police are looking for information about an e-scooter crash. Blinked 182 are paying tribute at the Forum, there's murder mystery at the Grey Lady and Russell Hicks is at the Queen's Hall.

WEATHER

Monday: 5°C 🌡️ 12°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 0°C 🌡️ 10°C | ⛅

Wednesday: 4°C 🌡️ 10°C | ⛅

MAIN STORY

What Happened: The owners of The Moving Mug, a coffee shop inside a converted double-decker bus in Hawkenbury, Tunbridge Wells, are in a dispute with the council over planning permission. The café has been parked in the Hawk and Berry pub car park since November, but the council says it needs permission to operate.

The landowner supports the business, but the council initially gave the owners seven days to leave. They later extended the deadline to March 10. In response, the owners started a petition, which gained over 900 signatures. They plan to take the café on the road this summer to avoid legal issues.

More Context: Social media creators Maddy Harris, Toby and Josh Jones spent £25,000 converting the bus. Now run by Luke Derbyshire and Neive Taylor, The Moving Mug has become a local favorite, attracting dog walkers, parents, and office workers. The council says the café needs planning permission because it is parked permanently.

The owners argue that the enforcement is unfair and hurts small businesses. They worry that moving could bring more problems elsewhere. Despite the challenge, they remain committed to keeping the café running in Tunbridge Wells.

See their interview on The Kent Morning Show below:

THE BRIEF

💪 24-Hour Gainz: A new 24-hour Gym is planned for Tunbridge Wells, taking over the former Carpetright store at Kingstanding Retail Park. The budget gym chain, with 240 locations nationwide, offers memberships from £14.99 per month. It will have cardio and weight training equipment but no extras like pools or cafés. The Gym Group says demand for low-cost fitness is strong, especially among young people. The gym will create 15 full-time equivalent jobs. The company expects little impact on traffic and will use 24-hour CCTV for security.

🍽️ Dinner For A Year: Lorraine Parkinson won a contest to name a new restaurant in Tunbridge Wells. She chose Maxwell after researching local history. Her prize is a three-course meal with wine each month for a year. The restaurant, part of a retirement development on St John’s Road, opens in early spring. It will serve seasonal, Kent-inspired dishes under an in-house chef. Lorraine, a foodie who moved to Tunbridge Wells in 2018, looks forward to dining there.

🛴 E-Scooter Crash: A woman in her 40s is in serious condition after falling from her e-scooter in Tunbridge Wells. The crash happened on Eastlands Road near Waterdown Road at 7:45 pm on February 16. Police do not believe another vehicle was involved but are investigating. They urge witnesses, including drivers with dashcam footage and residents with CCTV, to come forward.

🍻 Pub Conversion Rejected: A plan to turn the ground floor of the White Horse pub in Cranbrook into two flats was rejected at appeal. The planning inspector said it would harm the town’s retail and social life. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council argued the pub was not properly marketed or proven unviable. Developers claimed low sales and no interest in reopening, but locals wanted to keep it as a community space.

🪥 Dentist to Close: Hill House Dental Care in Tunbridge Wells, open since 1895, will close in April to make way for flats. Bupa, which runs the practice, cited an expiring lease but knew about the redevelopment for a year. Patients got notice only two weeks ago, forcing thousands to find new dentists. Some staff, with over 20 years at the clinic, face job loss and non-compete clauses. Locals criticized Bupa, questioning how other practices will handle the displaced patients.

THIS WEEK

All Star Murder Mystery | Fri, 7pm | Head to the Grey Lady for a 3-course meal, prosecco and murder! | £50​​

Calendar Girls | Wed to Sat | When her best friend Annie loses her husband to cancer, Northerner Chris cooks up a scheme to memorialise him in an unusual way. | £20​

Carradine's Cockney Sing-A-Long | Fri, 7pm | Sing along with Tom Carradine for a nostalgic musical night! | £25​

Room On The Broom | Tues to Thurs | Join the witch’s adventure in this magical Room on the Broom show! | £15​

Sophie McCartney: One Foot In The Rave | Fri, 7:30pm | Sophie McCartney’s hilarious new show on aging, parenting, and partying! | £21.75+​

Blinked 182 | Fri, 7:30pm | Head to the Forum to celebrate Blink 182 | £17.50​

Midnight In Paris | Sat, 6:30pm | A screenwriter time-travels to 1920s Paris at midnight. | £5​

Russell Hicks | Fri, 8pm | Russell Hicks’ improvised stand-up tour—sharp, unpredictable, and hilarious! | £16​

For more events head to Plan My Event App (iPhone / Android)

FURTHER OUT

Anna Howie | 8th Mar | Join Anna at the Royal Oak as she previews live versions of her new tracks | Free​

The Enchanted Princess Ball | 17th Apr | Chester’s magical adventure ensures princesses arrive at the Royal Ball! | £19​

Macy Gray | 10th May | Macy Gray celebrates 25 years of On How Life Is! | £48+​

Day Out With Thomas | 26th & 27th Apr | Celebrate 80 years of Thomas with a fun-filled railway adventure! | £19​

TN90's Festival | 24th & 25th May | Tonbridge's 90's music festival returns this May | £25+​

Children's Market | 29th March | Explore a host of local businesses who focus on education & fun for children | Details​

SPORT

⚽ FOOTBALL

18th Feb - Tunbridge Wells vs. Erith & Belvedere (Postponed)

22nd Feb - Tunbridge Wells vs. Kennington (Postponed)

25th Feb - Tunbridge Wells vs. Punjab United

1st Feb - Tunbridge Wells vs. Fisher

🏉 RUGBY

1st Mar - Tunbridge Wells vs. Bracknell

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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