A large restaurant has closed two years after opening with a spectacular refurbishment. The doors of the town centre and cocktail bar have been padlocked and the company has gone into 'creditors voluntary liquidation'. Independent Bocca Social after moving into the former home of chain restaurant Carluccio's.
A stunning interior was created, with huge floral decorations throughout the venue. There was a sumptuous function room on the first floor, which had its own bar. The restaurant, a former NatWest bank, had elegant high ceilings, and the interiors were light and bright with velvet green and rose banquettes.
But the Italian restaurant has been shut for many weeks and Companies House shows winding up of the insolvent company started on June 13. Because of this its premises licence has lapsed, said . This week, the tables and chairs, still looking as though they were ready for customers, could be seen in the darkened restaurant through the windows.
The last post on , where the restaurant had four stars out of a possible five from 69 reviews, was on July 13, 2024. The reviews varied wildly, with some raving about it: "Great food, great service! Recommend the vodka pasta and the goats cheese balls"; to others being critical, such as: "There was no visible management on site and it showed. An overall very disappointing experience".
The location for this venue looks good on paper: it is opposite Tunbridge Wells railway station, near one of Tunbridge Wells' beautiful public parks.