Hove’s long-awaited replacement for the ageing King Alfred Leisure Centre has taken a major step forward, with Willmott Dixon named as preferred contractor for the scheme. The move follows Brighton & Hove City Council’s decision in 2022 to retire the pre-war complex, which no longer meets modern standards and would be prohibitively difficult and costly to refurbish.
Alliance Leisure, appointed earlier this year to oversee design and construction, has assembled the professional team with GT3 Architects leading the design. Together with Willmott Dixon, they have been refining proposals for a contemporary sports and leisure destination that makes the most of its seafront setting. The concept places pools, fitness suites and a café to capture sea views, while new landscaping will stitch the building into an enhanced public realm along the promenade.
Costing remains under discussion. In March the project was described as a £48m scheme; the council is now proposing capital investment of up to £65m. Subject to further cabinet approval, a planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of the year, enabling a start on site in 2026 and completion in 2028 on the existing beachfront plot.
For Willmott Dixon, the commission builds on deep sector experience. Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon Construction South, said the company is “excited to be appointed as the preferred contractor for this transformational project,” noting its recent work at Brighton Metropolitan College and extensive track record of leisure delivery nationwide. “The new King Alfred Leisure Centre presents an exciting opportunity to create a world-class facility that maximises its unique seafront location through innovative design and sustainable construction practices,” he said. Citing more than 160 leisure facilities delivered, including 108 swimming pools, he highlighted expertise in complex waterfront schemes, environmental resilience, sustainable technologies and accessibility innovations. “Working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council and Alliance Leisure, we’re committed to delivering not just a building, but a community hub that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Alliance Leisure director Tom Fairey welcomed the appointment, calling it “another big step forwards” for a project intended to provide a modern, sustainable centre that meets local needs for years ahead. Alliance will continue to lead the pre-construction phase at pace, coordinating input from design and delivery partners to lock down the brief, performance targets and procurement.
The redevelopment answers a long-standing civic challenge. The existing King Alfred complex, a familiar presence on the Hove seafront, has struggled to keep pace with contemporary expectations around accessibility, energy use and user experience. Rebuilding on the same site allows the council to retain a popular location while replacing tired fabric with a facility designed for current and future demands, from inclusive changing provision to low-carbon operation. The design ambition reaches beyond the building footprint, with public-realm improvements intended to open routes, encourage active travel and create a more welcoming interface between the centre, the beach and neighbouring streets.
If approved as planned, the programme sets out a clear trajectory: planning by year-end, a two-year build starting in 2026, and doors opening in 2028. Between now and then, the team’s focus will be on certainty—refining scope, locking in supply chains and value-engineering the scheme to balance quality, sustainability and cost. With Willmott Dixon on board and GT3 Architects shaping the design, Hove’s next chapter on the seafront is edging closer: a resilient, accessible leisure hub designed around its coastal context and the everyday needs of the community it serves.
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