The lease of a new cafe or restaurant in Hove Beach Park is up for grabs as work to complete the park continues.
The Outdoor Sports Hub, on Western Esplanade close to the King Alfred, will have a café/restaurant at first floor level, surrounded by outdoor terraces on three sides. There will also be a kiosk at ground level.
The rest of the ground floor of the building will include new public toilets, showers and changing facilities and the clubhouse for Hove and Kingsway Bowls Club.
Located on the Western Esplanade close to Hove Street South and the King Alfred Leisure Centre, the beach is immediately to the south of the building with the bowling greens to the north. Entry from the esplanade will be up two sweeping staircases from the west and east.
Councillor Julie Cattell, lead member for major projects, said: “The new park is taking shape quickly now and creating lots of interest. It will be an exciting public space right on the seafront with facilities residents and visitors alike will enjoy.”
“We are seeking independent operators who will provide a quality hospitality offer within this brand-new facility in a prime beach location It will cater for residents and visitors enjoying the gardens, varied sports facilities and the beach.”
The recently named park is being created through the Kingsway to the Sea project, which is regenerating the underused facilities and green spaces on the seafront in West Hove.
The new park will stretch from Hove Lagoon to the King Alfred Leisure Centre. When finished it will feature the new Outdoor Sports Hub plus gardens, wheeled sports areas, tennis and padel tennis courts, a croquet lawn and improvements to the facilities at Hove Lagoon.
Predominantly funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund, work is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.
Full details of the facilities and contract opportunities can be found on the council website. The closing date for applications is Thursday 28 March 2024.
Sweeping stairs, first floor cafe…Wheelchairs not welcome. Thanks a bunch.
People are always so desperate to criticise everything they don’t even bother to check the facts. The council website states: “There will also be an internal staircase and lift access from the ground floor of the building” – so there should be no problems for those who use wheelchairs. Thanks a bunch.
Well said!
And how do you know there isn’t a lift?
Just because one isn’t menttioned in the artucle doesn’t mean there isn’t one
The council insisted on disabled access to the upper floors of the nearby Rockwater venue. I think we can safely assume this cafe will also have disabled access to the first floor, given it is the council who are building it.
To quote from the letting details:
“This brand-new building will have a café restaurant at first floor level and will be surrounded by outdoor terraces on three sides. Entry from the esplanade is up two sweeping staircases from the west and from the east. There will also be an internal staircase and lift access from the ground floor of the building.”
Looks more like a slaughterhouse than a cafe fit for a prime seafront location in a seaside resort. Are they really spaffing £13m on this offence to the eyes? We’ve all been done.
No they aren’t spending £13m on a cafe and you know this so stop spouting incorrect and ignorant figures.
On no basis is this project worth £13m even with the skate park which will be covered in graffiti within weeks. Where is the business plan for Kingsway to the Sea? Who is it aimed at and where will they park?
The business plan etc are available on the councils website.
But as with so many things you comment on you can’t be bothered to go and look for them.
What is it with these moaners.?
They are never happy if they’ve got nothing to moan about.
I’ve been watching this building go up and it looks pretty good to me. The upper terrace will offer great views of the beach and sea, plus a north view overlooking the bowling greens.
The building work is not due to be completed until late August, and any new tenant then has to fit out the internal and outdoor sections of the cafe, so we’re unlikely to see it operational before the end of the summer tourist season.
It is however a welcome addition to the seafront and I’m looking forwards to seeing the rest of Hove beach park.
Hope it does not effect Lex’s cafe on the beach.
I am looking forward to the regeneration of the area, but must say that I am a little disappointed that only one new cafe will be built along this stretch of seashore. The area is desperately crying out for a stylish restaurant facing the sea, that can compete with Rockwaters. Many people frequent this area on a regular basis, but will unfortunately continue to lack the facilities that we locals require. Not everyone wants a burger and chips.