Brighton & Hove City Council has unveiled ambitious plans for a new sports and leisure facility to replace the ageing King Alfred Leisure Centre, with Alliance Leisure appointed as the council’s chosen development partner.

The £65 million scheme, to be delivered through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), will create a modern, sustainable and accessible leisure destination on the city’s seafront. Designed to make the most of its coastal setting, the new centre will offer sea views from the pools, fitness suite and café, while a revitalised public realm will integrate the building into the wider community.

Following extensive public consultation, the plans respond directly to residents’ needs and aspirations with a significantly expanded fitness suite, family leisure water, dedicated entertainment zone and enhanced accessibility throughout. The development aims to serve as a vibrant hub for sport, leisure, wellbeing and social activity for decades to come.

Working closely with Alliance Leisure, the council has now confirmed Willmott Dixon as preferred contractor, joining an experienced design and consultancy team led by GT3 Architects. Together, this collaborative partnership will take the project through the next stages of design development and pre-construction.

The council is proposing a capital investment of up to £65 million, to be funded through a mix of government grants, council borrowing and residential development on part of the site. The new centre is expected to generate strong revenue streams to ensure long-term operational sustainability.

The proposals will be considered by the council’s Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet later this month. Subject to approval, the project will move into the planning stage, with a planning application expected by the end of the year.

Construction is not anticipated to begin before early 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2028. In the meantime, the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre will remain open for as long as possible.

“The appointment of Willmott Dixon marks a significant step forward, and we are excited to work with our partners to deliver a modern, sustainable centre that will meet the needs of the community for generations to come,” said Tom Fairey, Development Director, Alliance Leisure

Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Construction South, Willmott Dixon, said: “We are excited to be appointed as the preferred contractor for this transformational project. Having recently delivered the successful transformation of Brighton Metropolitan College, we understand the importance of creating facilities that truly serve this vibrant coastal community. We're particularly excited to integrate cutting-edge sustainable technologies and accessibility innovations that will set new standards for coastal leisure facilities. 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.”

For more information about Alliance Leisure, visit: allianceleisure.co.uk