Regeneration in Tunbridge Wells has taken a significant step forward with news that a leading regional law firm is set to relocate its head office to a key development site.

Cripps Harries Hall, one of the town's largest employers, is to become the anchor tenant at Royal Wells Park, which is being built on the site of the former Kent and Sussex Hospital.

When the expanding legal practice moves from its current Mount Ephraim Road base in 2016, the firm will move into a 45,000 sq ft new office building at the site.

Royal Wells Park, which will also boast 190 homes and the first developer-led free school in the country, is the largest redevelopment project in the centre of Tunbridge Wells since the opening of Royal Victoria Place more than 20 years ago.

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The purpose-built offices will be able to accommodate 350 staff on four floors, giving the firm space to continue its expansion while also providing a better, state-of-the-art working environment for staff.

Cripps' senior partner, Michael Stevens, said: "Our clients and people value our central location in Tunbridge Wells, so we're extremely pleased to have secured new premises so close to the town centre.

"The offices are being designed to our bespoke requirements, with a high quality IT infrastructure and the latest working practices in mind so we can continue servicing our clients' needs as efficiently as possible. We're particularly pleased the local community also benefits from the new housing and educational facilities that are a part of this sustainable development.

"Cripps has been a longstanding supporter of investment in Kent through links with Locate in Kent, Kent Ambassadors and the West Kent Chamber of Commerce. As a key employer for the town, we're committed to investing in its future.

"We have much appreciated the collaborative approach adopted by the site's developers, Berkeley Homes, and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on working with us on this, the first new office building in the centre of Tunbridge Wells for several decades.

"Combined with our recent merger with Vertex Law and the opening of a new office in Discovery Park near Sandwich, these are exciting times for Cripps."

(CD/JP)