Council seeks investor to transform Brighton's Kings Road paddling pool and playground
An artist's impression of how the redeveloped Kings Road paddling pool and playground could look, credit The Splash
One of Brighton seafront's best-loved family spots could be in line for a full transformation. Brighton and Hove City Council is inviting expressions of interest from organisations willing to invest in a new future for the Kings Road paddling pool and playground, with a promise that the water play and play area will stay free for everyone to enjoy.
The council is asking experienced leisure operators, investors and developers to fund, design, build and operate a new public water play facility and children's playground on the site of the current Kings Road paddling pool, the popular spot just along from the West Pier that has been closed for the 2026 season. Proposals need to be in by 27 September 2026.
Free for families, with a commercial offer alongside
The key condition is that, as a minimum, any proposal must deliver a high-quality, free-to-use paddling pool and family play area that residents and visitors can enjoy without paying. To make the numbers stack up for an investor, the opportunity also includes an adjacent 1,000 square metre site that could house a leisure, hospitality or wellbeing offer, most likely a paid attraction, helping fund and sustain the free public facility.
The proposed redevelopment would modernise the existing paddling pool and playground and bring improvements to toilets, changing facilities, landscaping and seating. The council says it is also open to innovative ideas, including a destination that draws people to the seafront outside the summer months. Whoever is chosen would be responsible for funding the design and construction, and for running and maintaining the facility long term.
"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. 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."
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries
The Kings Road site earmarked for redevelopment, with the adjacent commercial plot outlined
Part of a bigger seafront plan
The paddling pool opportunity was first set out in the council's newly launched seafront prospectus, the same document inviting investment across a string of landmark sites including the King Alfred, Madeira Terrace, Brighton Marina and the Kings Road Arches. It also sits directly alongside the huge arches strengthening programme: the pool closed for 2026 because it sits on the stretch of Victorian arches under the A259 now being reinforced in a project worth more than £25 million, work the council says is essential to avoid a catastrophic failure of the road above.
In other words, the closure that stopped families splashing this summer is also what has opened the door to a bigger, better facility. The council is betting that private investment can turn a tired, ageing pool into a year-round seafront destination, while keeping the water play free for the families who have long made it one of the busiest spots on the front.
The details
What A new free water play facility and children's playground, plus an adjacent commercial leisure site
Where Kings Road paddling pool and playground, Brighton seafront
Who it's for Experienced leisure operators, investors and developers
The catch The pool and playground must stay free to use
Deadline Proposals by 27 September 2026
Read the full opportunity and how to apply