A THIRTY MILLION pound bid to convert Hove's King Alfred

Leisure Centre into a huge entertainment complex has been launched.

Developers Citygrove Leisure today unveiled plans to redevelop the prime seafront site with a 13-screen cinema, restaurants, a casino and a nightclub.

Other features include a coffee shop, terraces with sea views, a health and fitness centre and family leisure centre.

The application is for new buildings covering the whole King Alfred site, except the swimming pools and underground bowling centre.

James Fawcett, development director for London-based Citygrove Leisure, said the company would be buying land at the site from the council.

However, the swimming pools and bowling centre will remain the council's property.

He said: "The buildings will be under separate ownership and management. They are just on the same site. We will be literally building right up to the council walls."

The scheme incorporates the neighbouring Royal Naval Reserve site, now a car park, which has been vacant for 30 years.

If planners approve the project it will create 300 jobs and should be completed within three years.

The pools would be renovated by the council, with a new entrance from a covered mall, and the bowling area would be refurbished.

Afamily entertainment centre with games, virtual reality attractions and children's activities will also be included at the site, which will have 550 parking spaces on two levels below the centre.

Sports attractions at the King Alfred, displaced by the new scheme, will be transferred to a new community leisure centre next to Blatchington Mill School.

It already has planning permission and a National Lottery bid is being prepared for funding. The scheme, which includes gymnastics, is part of the council's policy aimed at creating sports centres on school sites.

If planning permission is given for the King Alfred, work could start early in the New Year and construction will take between two and three years.

Council leader Lord Bassam said: "It seems to be a very exciting proposal, creating amenities.

"We will be keen to make sure local people are consulted so that their views can be taken into account."

Tourism chairman Ian Duncan said: "It is crazy that Hove, as the birthplace of cinema, doesn't have one.

"I will be particularly delighted to see better all-weather leisure and recreation centres in Hove.

"A new King Alfred, and a new leisure centre at Blatchington Mill, could be welcome additions for Hove."

Citygrove spokesman David Woolf said: "The aim of this collaboration between the council and ourselves is to produce a family-orientated centre with plenty for children during the day and adults at night.

"It will have all people need for a very pleasant evening; a meal, a drink on the terrace watching the sun set over the sea, and then perhaps on to the movies or the club.

"We see it as a brand new focus for Hove'ssocial and entertainments scene where the emphasis is on quality with high standards of design and materials.

"We will be working closely with the council to produce a fully integrated scheme."

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