Music venue’s plans to increase capacity will launch with Ideas Day run by young architects

The Forum music and arts venue announces its aspiration to extend its building on Tunbridge Wells Common.

The first step will be an Ideas Day for the community with young, local architects at The Forum, on Saturday 18 May. Everyone who cares about The Forum is invited to come and write down, draw and share their ideas for the new space and how it could be used.

The Ideas Day is being put together by local architect Stuart Page, and supported by the local Branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Forum Founder Jason Dormon said: ‘’This project has the potential to safeguard the Forum’s future. By increasing the capacity to around 400, we will be able to attract more acts to perform at the venue.

‘’When Stuart first suggested working with younger architects to us, it seemed like an obvious fit given the work we already do with emerging artists working in music and other disciplines.’’

Richard Simm, Jason’s co-director at the Forum Community Interest Company, said: ‘’I hope this Ideas Day will prove the first step in realising what has been a long-held dream of the Forum’s team.

‘’We’ve got loads of respect for anyone willing to take this on. It’s a tough brief as we want to increase in size but build on the Forum’s character as a small, intimate, and independent space.’’

Stuart Page commented: ”In common with so many people around here, local architects and architecture students have a special place in their hearts for Tunbridge Wells Forum. They are very excited to have the opportunity to provide The Forum team with some initial ideas and literally to draw out the public’s thoughts about the next steps for this iconic venue.”

Jenny Peterson, Architectural Communities Manager for the RIBA in the region said: “Recently there have been inspiring examples of architects and local communities working together to re-imagine public buildings, often with constraints of space and funding. Architects are problem solvers, trained to respond to those and to listen to their client communities. They are really looking forward to sparking inspiration at The Forum.”