Corn Exchange, Tunbridge Wells
Corn Exchange, Tunbridge Wells
LocationThe Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Coordinates51°07′33″N 0°15′29″E / 51.1258°N 0.2580°E / 51.1258; 0.2580
Built1802
Architectural style(s)Neoclassical style
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameThe Corn Exchange
Designated20 May 1952
Reference no.1084438
Corn Exchange, Tunbridge Wells is located in Kent
Corn Exchange, Tunbridge Wells
Shown in Kent

The Corn Exchange is a commercial building in The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. The structure, which is currently used as an antiques and fine art market, is a Grade II listed building.[1]

History

Plaque on the front of the building

The building was commissioned by the theatre manager, Sarah Baker, as the Tunbridge Wells Theatre, in the early 19th century.[2] It was designed in the neoclassical style, built in brick with a stucco finish and was officially opened on 8 July 1802.[3] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of three bays facing onto The Pantiles. The ground floor was rusticated and the central bay featured a porch formed by two Doric order columns and two Doric order pilasters supporting an entablature and a cornice. The central bay was fenestrated by single sash windows on the first and second floors while the outer bays were fenestrated by tri-partite windows on all three floors. At roof level, there was a cornice and a parapet.[1] The actors Edmund Kean and Charles Kemble both performed on the stage in the building in the first half of the 19th century.[4] After Baker died in 1816, the theatre passed to her son-in-law, William Dowton, but audiences dwindled, and the theatre closed in 1843.[2]

A group of local businessmen then decided to form a company, to be known as the "Tunbridge Wells Corn Exchange Company", to operate the building as a corn exchange: a large panel, inscribed with the words "Corn Exchange", flanked by carvings of wheat sheaves, and surmounted by a statue of the goddess, Ceres, was installed on the roof.[1] After the works had been completed, the building was re-opened by John Nevill, 3rd Earl of Abergavenny, whose seat was at Eridge Park, in November 1844.[4] The use of the building as a corn exchange declined significantly in the wake of the Great Depression of British Agriculture in the late 19th century.[5] The assets of the company were sold and the Tunbridge Wells Corn Exchange Company was placed into liquidation in January 1902.[6]

The building was then used as a drill hall by C Squadron of the Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry during the First World War.[7] After the war, it became the auction house of a local firm of auctioneers, Carter Banks and Bennett.[4] It remained in the ownership of the Nevil family of Eridge Park until 1939, when it was acquired by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.[8]

A major programme of refurbishment works costing £1.1 million was completed in 1989, and the building subsequently re-opened as a tourist attraction known as "A Day at the Wells". However, after visitor numbers reduced, the attraction closed in 2004.[9] The building subsequently operated as a small galleria for independent retailers but many of the shops closed within a few years.[10]

In February 2012, Christopher Nevill, 6th Marquess of Abergavenny acquired a series of properties in the Lower Pantiles, including the corn exchange, with a view to carrying out sympathetic redevelopment.[8] Following a further refurbishment, the building was reopened as an antiques and fine art market, known as the "Pantiles Arcade", in July 2021.[11] Individuals opening shops there included the television presenter, Eric Knowles, who opened a "decorative art and design emporium",[12] and the auctioneer, Charles Hanson, who opened an auction house there.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Historic England. "The Corn Exchange (1084438)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 "1806 the Impressario and the Actor". Tunbridge Tales. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Theatres and Halls in Tunbridge Wells, Kent". Arthur Lloyd. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Corn Exchange – An Historic Venue for our New Venture". Scottish Antiques. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Fletcher, T. W. (1973). 'The Great Depression of English Agriculture 1873-1896' in British Agriculture 1875-1914. London: Methuen. p. 31. ISBN 978-1136581182.
  6. ↑ "No. 27401". The London Gazette. 28 January 1902. p. 603.
  7. ↑ "Tunbridsge Wells". The Drill Hall Project. 28 January 1902.
  8. 1 2 "Estate Management". Eridge Park. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Final curtain for A Day At The Wells". Kent Online. 5 March 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "The Corn Exchange in Tunbridge Wells is set to be turned into offices 'by the end of this year'". Kent Online. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Art Deco delights at Tunbridge Wells' Corn Exchange". Antiques Trade Gazette. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "Decorative art and design emporium opening in Corn Exchange in Tunbridge Wells". In Your Area. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "Auctions on The Pantiles as saleroom opens for business". The Times of Tunbridge Wells. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
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