Trinity Theatre

Arts and Heritage

Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre is housed in the shell of a 19th century Anglican Church, designed by Decimus Burton, that had become redundant to pastoral needs. Community involvement led to the conversion to a theatre in the 1970s. Kaner Olette were commissioned, as part of a wider Heritage Lottery Fund project, to renovate the historic building, to create access to the historic clocktower and its roof level and create a viewing platform.

The challenge of sensitively inserting new routes into the existing historic building, whilst respecting the style of the original design, is one that creates several design challenges for the project. Kaner Olette’s response is a route for visitors to access the tower through the existing twin cantilevered stone stairs into the main clocktower via new steel bridges and then climb to roof level via a 5 storey spiral staircase. Platforms are provided at various levels for viewing of historic features such as the original clock and bell mechanisms as well as digital projection and static displays that form interpretation for the site.

The viewing platform will provide vistas across Tunbridge Wells as well as interpretation for the Grade II* listed building.

The project is on site currently and due to finish in 2024.