Private companies are being asked to come forward for plans to run the seafront paddling pool – and other ideas for leisure businesses on the land to the west.
The King’s Road paddling pool has been closed since the end of last summer. It did not reopen this summer, with work to reinforce the arches underneath the road due to begin.
Now leisure operators, investors and developers are being asked to come forward to redevelop the pool and the playground, with a chance to put something else on the 1,000ft space next door.
The council said that it was particularly interested in ideas which would attract people there outside the summer months.
While the pool and playground would have to remain free, the new leisure facility would probably be a paid attraction. The successful bidder would be expected to fund the whole project.
Councillor Alan Robins, the council’s cabinet member for recreation, said: “If we want a seafront that’s fit for the future, we need to work with private sector investors and developers to deliver it together.
“This is an exciting opportunity to create an exciting destination for local families that leaves a lasting impact in a prominent seafront location.
“It’s a lucrative space in a busy part of the seafront and the playground is always popular so there’s lots of possibilities for how the space could be used.
“We want to work with a partner who shares our vision of providing excellent free facilities for children to enjoy alongside a high-quality leisure offer that supports local jobs and boosts the economy.”
For more information, click here. Proposals need to be submitted by Sunday 27 September.
Why are this council obsessed with privatising the seafront? They are selling off the very things that make Brighton & Hove a good place to live. Peter Pan’s gone, King Alfred soon to be sold for private tower blocks, Hove promenade developed for Rock water and saunas and now the beach. Perhaps they intend to charge for a dip in the sea or sell the pebbles for skimming? Rather than pose for political means, get on with providing facilities free for all to access including children with nothing to do.
Well said. Brighton and Hove is being run by asset strippers, not a proper council.
You might have missed it but the council is basically bankrupt. It borrowed £15m from the government in Feb and might borrow up to another £30m in the future. Better to allow private operators to run non-essential stuff now and save where we can, than go bankrupt and let the government come in and sell the family silver as it’s done in other bankrupt local authorities.
“The Kings Road paddling pool has been closed since ***” – is there a prize if we correctly complete the sentence?
I’m going to go for “…since it was discovered to be built directly over a portal to the eternal abyss”
As I have said previously the Seagulls use it too, which deems it unsafe. If it was run privately how would they afford to keep it safe without charging a fee?
An admission of council failure concerning the provision of a basic leisure amenity. No private operator is going to operate the seafront paddling pool for free. This either means the public pays or the council pays – also with public money – in which case they could have operated it themselves and saved a contract cost. Why is there so little talent and intelligence in the current council? Previous councils used to run most facilities/amenities including the Piers and the city was so much better for it. Now it feels our city is turning into an asset-stripped husk.
Oh good, another attempt at selling off the seafront.
Although with the bit being saved between the pier and the marina I was curious why they didn’t install a massive car park under the upper road. I mean anyone do the math Brighton parking at £2+ per hour on a stretch that is a kilometre parking spaces take up 4 meters and you could build multi level under marine parade. My question would be would I ever need to pay council tax ever again.
Another fail for BHCC
Meanwhile , on social media, Bella grins and Muten gurns , telling us what wonderful achievements the council have managed.. it is utter BS.
Face the facts – BHCC are inept , profligate and duplicitous
I think it’s a great idea, mind you I’m a right winger. Perhaps all the above will vote Conservative in future. Or else the Greens might get in again, think of that.