More than 170 guests attend launch of The Willowbury integrated retirement community in West Malling. Retirement Villages Group (RVG) has marked a major milestone in the creation of its Integrated Retirement Community (IRC), The Willowbury in West Malling, after welcoming more than 170 guests to an exclusive launch event at Bradbourne House.
The strong turnout at Bradbourne House highlights growing local demand for high-quality, independent retirement living close to the heart of the town.
Thrive Living Comes to West Malling
Prospective residents, neighbours and community partners came together to celebrate the launch of off-plan sales at The Willowbury, which is due to welcome its first residents from late summer this year, highlighting that even before the village is complete, the foundations of a connected, supportive and forward-thinking community are already taking shape.
As part of RVG’s new Thrive Living collection, The Willowbury will offer 140 purpose-built homes: a mix of apartments and contemporary cottages set within landscaped gardens designed to support independence, wellbeing and sociability for people over 65.
From Cricket Willow to Community Living
The name is an ode to West Malling’s sporting history, with willow being the wood used to make cricket bats. Located just a short walk away from the centre of West Malling, The Willowbury will feature a range of thoughtfully crafted spaces including a wellbeing suite with fitness studio and treatment room, as well as a bar, restaurant and cafe. Many of the facilities will also be open to the wider community, helping to integrate the development into everyday life in the town.
Simon Dickinson, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Retirement Villages Group said:
“The Willowbury represents everything we stand for at Retirement Villages Group -thoughtful design, genuine community spirit and a commitment to helping people live well for longer. The strength of interest we’ve seen at the launch reflects a real appetite locally for modern later living that enables people to remain connected to the town they know and love, while enjoying the reassurance of support if and when it’s needed. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing this new community to West Malling.”
The Willowbury represents everything we stand for at Retirement Villages Group - thoughtful design, genuine community spirit and a commitment to helping people live well for longer.
Modern Retirement Living, Reimagined
The Willowbury also continues RVG’s focus on sustainable, future-ready communities, with electric only heating systems and a long-term commitment to low carbon operations, embedded within its design and delivery.
RVG’s brand new financial model will be available at The Willowbury - designed to offer a more transparent and predictable way to buy and sell a property in a retirement community. Launched as an innovative response to customer research, the model offers lower monthly fees while residents live in their home in exchange for a deferred management fee when they leave. Importantly, management fees stop after two months’ notice, and RVG manages the resale process, guaranteeing repayment once the property is sold, based on the original purchase price. The approach is intended to reduce uncertainty, remove hidden costs and provide greater reassurance for residents and their families.
The strength of interest we’ve seen at the launch reflects a real appetite locally for modern later living that enables people to remain connected to the town they know and love, while enjoying the reassurance of support if and when it’s needed. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing this new community to West Malling.
Thrive Living communities are purposefully located in the heart of towns or alongside established neighbourhoods, enabling residents to remain closely connected to local life with shops, restaurants and cultural activities on their doorstep. Residents benefit from the reassurance of readily available care and support, while enjoying the freedom to lead an active, sociable lifestyle entirely on their own terms.