Plans to upgrade the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells with a cinema, more shops and restaurants have been scrapped.

The £70m upgrade scheme developed by the centre's previous owners Hermes had already been granted planning permission two years ago, but work never started. Instead Hermes sold the centre to British Land in March for £96m.

The new owners said they would not be proceeding with the Hermes proposals instead they would develop their own.

Charlotte Whitley, a spokesman for the company said: "We are excited about the potential of Royal Victoria Place and as a long-term investor we are committed to its success.

"Following our investment this summer, we have reviewed the existing proposals for the scheme and feel that we can deliver something much better for Tunbridge Wells.

"We are therefore working hard on alternative plans and look forward to sharing these in due course."

Miss Whitley said: "We know we need to work on some parts of the centre, particularly Ely Court, more quickly than this, and are looking at our options. We are also proposing to invest significant capital in the refurbishment of the overall centre to improve the experience for our occupiers and their customers in the meantime."

Ely Court is a covered arcade adjacent to the main centre: currently all its 13 shops are vacant.

Meanwhile, the company has planned a string of festivities at the centre leading up to Christmas. They include a Festive Family Fun Day on November 18, Santa’s Grotto starting on November 19, and late night shopping and free parking from 4pm in the week before Christmas.