Tonbridge is a step closer to a brand new sports and leisure hub, as Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council reveals its first proposals for replacing the ageing Angel Centre.
The new multi-purpose venue is earmarked for the Sovereign Way Mid car park site and could include a bigger gym, purpose-built spin and dance studios, meeting rooms for community groups, a soft play area, and an on-site café. There are also plans for a dedicated zone featuring specialist exercise equipment for those with limited mobility, long-term health conditions, or undergoing rehabilitation.
Cllr Adem Mehmet, cabinet lead for infrastructure and Tonbridge regeneration, described the project as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to create a modern, accessible and environmentally responsible leisure centre for the town. “We want residents to share their views about what facilities they’d like and be able to input into the design process,” he said.
The new building will be designed with sustainability in mind, featuring solar panels and air source heat pumps to cut both carbon emissions and running costs. This is a clear departure from the current Angel Centre, which is reaching the end of its operational life and no longer meets the expectations of users.
A dedicated project website and public survey have now been launched, giving residents the chance to comment on the plans and influence the final design.
The estimated cost for the new facility is around £19 million—lower than the original £23 million forecast. Funding will come from a mix of council reserves, borrowing, and a contribution from tmactive, the council’s leisure trust partner.
While the new venue takes shape, the existing Angel Centre will remain open until the replacement is completed, which is expected in 2028. Once that happens, the current site is set to be redeveloped as part of a wider regeneration of the area east of Tonbridge High Street.
The new centre will continue to be operated by tmactive, ensuring continuity for regular users and local sports clubs.
“This will be a brand-new, sustainable building designed to deliver a wide range of upgraded sports, community and leisure facilities for the whole town,” said Cllr Mehmet. “As a Tonbridge resident myself, I’m excited to see these plans take shape. Please get involved and let us know what you’d like to see.”
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At The Tonbridge Bean, we think the proposals for the new Angel Centre look encouraging and could provide a real boost for the town. That said, we have a few questions we’d love to see answered. First, how was the cost brought down from the original £23 million estimate to the current £19 million budget? Second, what will be the overall size of the new centre compared to the existing building—is it larger, smaller, or almost exactly the same? And finally, where exactly do the council envisage placing the main entrance to the new Angel Centre on the Sovereign Way Mid site? We’ll be keeping an eye out for answers as the design process unfolds.
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