Plans to invest £70 million into a shopping centre could add nearly £7 million to the area's economy if approved, according to bosses.

Proposals for new stores, restaurants and a multiplex cinema at the Royal Victoria Place mall would benefit Tunbridge Wells town centre, they said.

The development scheme is set to create up to 275 jobs and add £6.9m a year to the local economy.

The revamp has been announced as Tunbridge Wells was named one of the UK’s top 50 retail locations with the most potential to grow by industry analysts.

The plans, which have been lodged with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, are for a multi-screen cinema on the roof of the shopping centre as well as several new restaurants and bigger stores to attract high street retailers.

Further improvements are set to include a redesigned entrance on the corner of Calverley Road and Camden Road.

The proposals for Royal Victoria Place have already received the stamp of approval from shoppers, with 88% of people who responded to a consultation on the proposals showing their support.

The announcement comes as the boss of a retail consultancy underlined the benefit a new cinema could bring to the town centre.

John Fell, of FSP, conducted a wide range of research projects looking at the impact of the addition of cinemas together with high street restaurant operators.

He said: “In our experience the addition of a cinema, with complementary food and beverage operators, has the potential to increase not only the number of people visiting the centre but also how much time they spend in the area and how much money they spend while they are there.”

Nicky Blanchard, Royal Victoria Place centre manager, said: “We have a really important role to play in the town centre as a whole, and these figures show just how positive an impact the investment in Royal Victoria Place can make on the town centre.

“We want more people to come to the town centre and spend more time here so they can explore what the town centre has to offer. We are really excited about the proposals to invest in Royal Victoria Place and are delighted that we have so much support from shoppers and our retailers.”