Transformation of Kings Hall Leisure Centre could start next year
The exciting transformation of Kings Hall Leisure Centre could begin in autumn 2025, as the project received approval from the Council’s cabinet to progress to its next stage.
Featuring beautiful new communal spaces, including an accessible entrance from Clapton Square, revamped changing facilities, more studio space, and a brand new teaching pool with a moveable floor, the proposals to transform the centre have been developed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, who designed the award-winning Britannia Leisure Centre.
Under the proposals, Kings Hall will also see a new sauna, steam room and changing facilities, a fitness suite, a two-court sports hall and a refurbished main and learner pool - all set within the footprint of the existing grade II listed building and its car park. In developing the plans, the Council sought feedback from centre users and local people online and at drop-ins at the centre, with over 250 people giving their views in person or online. .
Kings Hall is the only leisure facility serving residents in the east of the borough. It’s an important social and historical landmark, reflected in its Grade II listing, but the condition of the building has continued to deteriorate significantly in recent years, which means that repair costs are rising and residents’ experiences of the centre are getting worse.
The investment in Kings Hall Leisure Centre will come from Council capital funding, which is used for maintaining and improving Council buildings. It does not come from day-to-day spending on key services. Despite this, financial pressures mean that the Council will prioritise a revamped Kings Hall for residents in the east of the borough over plans for a new teaching pool at London Fields lido, which have been paused.
The work needed to safeguard and improve the building means that the centre would need to close while work takes place. It’s expected that work will start in Autumn 2025, with the centre reopening again in Autumn 2028. Members will be able to transfer their membership to another Better Leisure Centre in Hackney. The Council is also exploring whether it can provide temporary health and fitness facilities in another venue in the east of the borough during the closure.
While the Council is pausing plans for a new teaching pool at London Fields Lido, it is continuing to prioritise investment in play, and will deliver an upgrade of the northern London Fields’ play area, following public engagement, in 2025/26.
Find out more about the plans for Kings Hall: https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/communications-engagement/kings-hall-leisure-centre/
Kings Hall Leisure Centre has been at the heart of Hackney for generations and attracts local residents from all walks of life to enjoy exercise, healthy activity and leisure. I’m delighted that these stunning plans will transform the centre and that we are able to invest in the wellbeing of our local communities.
We’ve worked really hard with centre users to make sure we can preserve and protect what’s important to residents, and provide vital new facilities and amenities for everyone to enjoy.
This is a really exciting decision - but it’s also a difficult one due to the financial challenges we and all councils face. To approve these plans for Kings Hall, we’ve had to put proposals for a new teaching pool at London Fields Lido on hold. This is because residents in the east of the borough desperately need a leisure centre that’s fit for the future and this has to be our priority.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney