For anyone who’s been around Hove for more than a few years, the King Alfred Leisure Centre redevelopment is the urban equivalent of Waiting for Godot. It’s a project that has been promised, planned, proposed-and then postponed-countless times. The dream has never died, but it’s been stuck on the drawing board for over 20 years. That’s right: two decades of anticipation, political wrangling, failed tenders, and dashed hopes.

So, with Brighton & Hove City Council announcing that work will finally begin in early 2026, are we daring to believe again?

At Chill, we want to. Desperately. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something extraordinary-something that not only serves the community but also elevates the entire Brighton & Hove area.

But will it deliver?

Let’s dream for a moment

If we had our way-and a bottomless budget-this wouldn’t be just another leisure centre. We’d be thinking bold. Ambitious. Architectural. We’re talking Sydney Opera House on the English Channel. A shimmering landmark of coastal culture. A structure that people don’t just use-they photograph, flock to, and talk about.

Imagine:

• Sleek sea-facing apartments with uninterrupted views of the horizon.
• A boulevard of cafés, restaurants, and rooftop terraces buzzing with life year-round.
• A state-of-the-art gym and wellness centre that redefines leisure in the UK.
• And an outdoor space that connects the building to Hove seafront-a true jewel in Brighton & Hove’s crown.

Yes, it sounds a little Burj Khalifa meets Brighton Beach, but why shouldn’t we dream big?

What’s actually happening

Back to reality. As of now, the redevelopment is officially moving forward, albeit cautiously. Here’s what we know:

• The current King Alfred Centre will stay operational until construction begins in 2026.
• The new facility is expected to be a modern, energy-efficient sports centre, including:
  • A competition-standard swimming pool
  • Smaller leisure pools
  • A full sports hall
  • Health and fitness suites
  • A café
• The project is being led by Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, a team chosen for its track record in delivering complex leisure projects.
• The location? Part of the existing site on the seafront, following a site review in 2022 and Cabinet approval in 2024.
  

It all sounds promising. And yet, we’ve been here before.

A long and frustrating history

If you’re wondering why so many locals are skeptical, it’s because this isn’t the first, second, or even third attempt. Proposals have been floated and scrapped since the early 2000s. That’s multiple councils, funding bids, and design consultations-all leading to nothing concrete (literally).

Even Hove’s MP, Peter Kyle, has voiced “bitter frustration” over the glacial pace of progress. Red tape, political shifts, and rising construction costs have all played their part in the saga.

There’s real concern now that this could be another expensive, drawn-out process, ending in compromise rather than excellence.

A glimpse of what could be?

One of the design teams involved-Lomax Design-has already shared an early concept for the new King Alfred development. And honestly, we quite like it. It feels modern, well-integrated with the seafront, and far from the uninspiring public-leisure-centre boxes we’ve seen before.

The concept shows layered, open terraces, and thoughtful landscaping that invites people in from the promenade. It’s still a concept-but it shows potential. It’s not quite Sydney Opera House levels of ambition, but it’s a welcome step toward making Hove more than just a postcode.

Pictures: https://www.lomax.design

What do you think? Take a look and tell us if this is the kind of statement Hove deserves.

A Crucial opportunity for Brighton & Hove

At Chill, we’re always pushing for our city to think differently, to innovate, and to break free from the usual limits of council-led projects. This development isn’t just about a better gym or a shinier pool-it’s a statement about what Brighton & Hove can be.

The King Alfred redevelopment could be a turning point. Not just a shiny new facility, but a destination. A place where design, lifestyle, and community meet. A place that tourists want to see and locals are proud to use.

We get that budgets are tight, and that Treasury Green Book assessments don’t exactly scream “awe-inspiring architecture.” But surely there’s a middle ground? A way to combine functional public facilities with flair, beauty, and ambition?

What needs to happen now

We urge Brighton & Hove City Council and Alliance Leisure to:

• Engage the community honestly-not just tick boxes.
• Think beyond leisure-integrate housing, hospitality, and public spaces.
• Prioritise timeless design-avoid the “meh” aesthetic of so many public buildings.
• Stick to the timeline-because 2026 already feels far away.

And to the residents of Brighton and Hove: keep the pressure on. Make noise. Ask questions. Demand better. We all deserve a development that lives up to the site’s potential.

Final thoughts

This isn’t about Hove versus Brighton-it’s about enhancing the whole city. A brilliant King Alfred redevelopment benefits everyone.

But Hove, in particular, has long lacked a major architectural or cultural attraction. This is a rare chance to change that. To give the seafront something bold, imaginative, and future-facing.

We remain hopeful-but as ever, cautiously so.

Over to you, council.