Alliance Leisure Appointed to Lead Momentous Brighton Project
Brighton & Hove City Council has selected Alliance Leisure to oversee the design and construction of a new sports and leisure facility, which will replace the outdated King Alfred Leisure Centre.
For the next phase, which involves finalizing the design and submitting the planning application, the professional team, brought together by Alliance Leisure, will be led by GT3 Architects, known for their expertise in designing energy-efficient sports facilities. GT3 previously worked with the council on their Sports Facilities Investment Plan and have a solid understanding of the city’s vision for sport and leisure.
Alongside GT3, the core design team is made up of civil and structural engineers Engenuiti, Van Zyl & de Villiers (VZDV), the project’s building services and engineering consultant, and Hadron Consulting, serving as technical project managers.
The team has been brought together through the use of the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure, which facilitates the procurement process and enables early engagement from all parties.
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet member for Sports and Recreation at Brighton & Hove City Council, commented:
This is a really exciting step to move forward long-overdue plans for a new leisure centre.
I’m really pleased to have Alliance Leisure on the project. I’ve seen what they’ve delivered elsewhere – and they understand the challenges that are unique to the sector better than anyone.
It’s crucial we come up with the best possible solution, which offers value for money and provides residents with a modern, energy-efficient sports centre that makes the most of the seafront location.
I’m confident that, with the team’s experience, we can deliver a facility the city can be proud of.
In the coming months, the professional team will refine the designs, ensuring they meet modern sports and energy standards while delivering value for money. The facility will be designed to blend seamlessly with its seafront setting.
The design process will incorporate existing feasibility studies around practicality, financial viability, and health and wellbeing, along with insights gathered from the community over the past two years.
Tom Fairey, Development Director at Alliance Leisure, said:
Alliance Leisure is delighted to partner with the council to progress this significant project for the regeneration of the King Alfred Leisure Centre, procured through the UK Leisure Framework.
Alliance Leisure brings extensive experience, along with our specialist partners, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the council to shape a new, sustainable and inclusive leisure centre that meets the needs of the Brighton & Hove community, providing long-lasting improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing.
While the new facility is being developed, the council aims to keep the existing facility operational for as long as possible.
Cllr Robins added:
The 80-year-old King Alfred Leisure Centre is beyond the end of its life and challenging to operate, but it remains one of the most well-used facilities in the city. We’ll continue to do what we can to keep it open for as long as feasible, while we progress our exciting new plans.
The council and Freedom Leisure are committed to investing in the existing King Alfred Leisure Centre and making improvements where needed, to ensure residents continue to have access to a safe and accessible sports centre that meets the current needs of local residents.
Planning approval for the project will be sought at a Cabinet meeting in summer 2025, the council will seek agreement on the design and the landowner’s consent for submission of a planning application, with said application due to be submitted by the end of 2025.
Learn more about the background and development of the new leisure centre here.