Paramount Place will welcome its first cohort of residents from the end of October. Eileen Leahy meets the development’s General Manager, Martin Garner, and Tim Seddon, CEO of Retirement Villages Group, who have pioneered this distinctive and inspiring independent retirement living community…
Paramount Place is ready to open its doors after an intense two-and-a-half-year development period, and this publication was granted exclusive access to look around the integrated retirement community ahead of the first residents moving in on October 26.
We have followed the progress of this exciting £73 million development since ground was first broken on the site in May 2024. As most readers will know, it was once home to the town’s centrally located ABC cinema, and the new building’s art deco-influenced design reflects the aesthetic style of the former picture house, which was demolished in 2000.
Positioned at the top of Mount Pleasant Road, the impressive building has breathed new life into this part of town. Its 167 apartments – available to buy outright or rent, and comprising one- and two-bedroom homes – are spread over eight floors and four blocks: Bewl House, Teise House, Medway House and Broadwater House.
There are also communal gardens, a restaurant, café and wellbeing space open to the general public, alongside independent retail offerings.
“Being part of the local community is key to us and our residents,” explains Tim Seddon, CEO of Retirement Villages Group (RVG), as we sit down to chat at the company’s marketing suite opposite Paramount Place.
I’m interviewing him alongside Martin Garner, the development’s General Manager. The pair are visibly delighted with how well the project has progressed since RVG acquired the site in 2021 to develop it into a later-living community for the over-65s under its Thrive Living brand.
“Firstly, we have to praise the work of our construction partners, McAleer & Rushe, who have delivered excellent results on time, for which we are very grateful,” adds Tim.
Martin says his team has been working around the clock over the past few weeks to ensure the first residents have a seamless arrival.
“We want the residents to feel like they are a part of the community as soon as they step over the threshold.”
Another way residents can feel instantly integrated is through CUBIGO – a digital platform used to manage services and residents’ interests.
“They can use it to look up daily activities going on in the town, as well as at Paramount Place; to book a restaurant or to communicate with their neighbours. It creates its own social community and helps people feel connected,” smiles Martin.
It can even help source a GP for new residents and assist with prescriptions, while local pharmacists will deliver to residents’ doors.
Tim adds that CUBIGO has been rolled out across RVG developments around the country.
“Once our residents get used to it, then it really does become part of their support system. It makes the transition from a much-loved family home to living at one of our developments – and feeling really part of it – that much easier.”
“Moving from a home that you might have lived in for over 40 years is a huge emotional wrench, so we want to ensure people feel completely supported – but still have a good degree of independence if they so desire.”
Tim says this is important because residents are not simply taking custodianship of an apartment, but becoming part of a community.
“That’s why getting people into the building to have a really good look around is vital, as we want people to have as much of the genuine experience as possible.”
He adds that in New Zealand, Australia and America, retirement communities are an established and aspirational choice for older people seeking independent, community-focused living – and the aim is for it to become more the norm here.
“Our whole ethos is independent living with support where you need it. You can have as much care as you want or as little as you want.”
Paramount Place is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“That means if someone falls over, then someone will be on site to help them. We have all undergone full training and have 24-hour responders.”
But the pair are keen to stress that RVG residents across the country – from West Byfleet to Chester and West Malling – are also living active and fulfilling lives.
“We have so many people who love making use of the great facilities we offer, as well as benefiting from all that’s right on their doorstep – there is a lot to enjoy.”
Before we head off to see the facilities, including Yarrow café, bar & restaurant, Aluna wellbeing suite, the library, private dining room, communal courtyard and show homes, Tim explains what makes RVG different.
“We are not a developer that just walks off into the sunset with that first sale profit. We’re interested in the fifth sale, the 25th one, etc., which is why we invest in the community. This is a long-term investment for us. We don’t sell to investors – just individuals.”
Martin says the majority of people who have signed up so far are from the local area and elsewhere in Kent and Sussex.
“It’s usually around a 20-mile radius,” he says.
“There’s a lady who often pops into the office to have a cup of tea with us and chat. She is so excited about moving in! And we have some great schemes going on, like ‘try before you buy’.
“People have the opportunity to experience Paramount Place and really immerse themselves in the environment. They can utilise the restaurant, have a dip in the pool and even stay overnight. It is such an emotional decision – why wouldn’t we offer this?”
The mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments is beautifully designed and boasts views of Tunbridge Wells, with some penthouses also featuring private terraces. There is plenty of external space, including an outdoor kitchen for the warmer months.
Residents can move their own belongings in – or buy one of the show homes and all its contents outright.
“We also employ a company that will go to a resident’s home and work out the kind of décor they can have at Paramount Place based on their existing furniture and accessories. It really is about making everything feel tailored to residents.
“Buying or renting an apartment at Paramount Place is so much more than just acquiring a home. You are buying into a very special lifestyle and we are hugely excited about that.”
Dates for your diary:
Paramount Place Discovery Day
5 November 2026 | 10am–2pm | 3 December 2026 | 10am–2pm
Marketing Suite, Opposite Paramount Place, 62 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1RB
