‘Outdated’ Clapton leisure centre closes for three years for ‘ambitious’ renovations

The plans include a revamp of the pool. Photograph: FaulknerBrowns

Clapton’s Kings Hall Leisure Centre is set to close for more than three years later this month ahead of an “ambitious” revamp. 

Hackney Council said that without complete refurbishment, the Grade II listed building would eventually cease to become functional and the Better Leisure centre would likely have to close permanently. 

The Victorian-era civic building will shut its doors on 24 December before construction work begins in February 2026. It is expected to reopen in early 2029, with members able to use any of the borough’s other Better centres during that time.

Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley said: “These ambitious plans for Kings Hall Leisure Centre will give residents in Clapton and Homerton world-class leisure facilities for generations to come.

“This is a significant decision in challenging financial circumstances, but one that represents the best option for Hackney.”

The plans were developed by FaulknerBrowns, the architects behind the recently revamped Britannia Leisure Centre in Hoxton. Their work on the facility earned them the AJ100 award for Community Impact and increased visitor usage by 161 per cent.

The Britannia Leisure Centre in Hoxton. Photograph: Hackney Council

The refurbished centre will include a new teaching pool, sports hall, extended gym and studio facilities and a new accessible entrance from Clapton Square.

Conditions at the 1890s Victorian bath house have deteriorated significantly in recent years, resulting in rising repair costs and worsening facilities.

The council cabinet agreed last month to an overall capital cost for the project of up to £90.92million, an increase of £19.478million since its previous estimate in September 2024.

The centre has fallen into disrepair in recent years. Photograph: Hackney Council

Woodley said the council’s alternatives were either to carry out a behind-the-scenes refurbishment and keep the building running, or to close and mothball the centre, both of which would have proven more costly long-term.

There are currently 11 Better Leisure facilities in Hackney, including Kings Hall. Four of these have a fully-equipped gym and four have pools, while others are tennis courts, football pitches or wild swimming venues. However, many are in the west of the borough.

The council told the Citizen is exploring whether it can offer temporary health and fitness facilities in eastern Hackney while the building is closed, but has so far not announced any concrete plans. 

Green Party spokesperson Ifhat Shaheen said: “Three years is a long time to have no viable alternatives, Hackney Council need to commit to specific alternative venues for residents’ use.

“They need to work with the community regarding the timeline and remain transparent at all times and commit to an affordable pricing structure so once the leisure centre is open it remains fully accessible to the local community.”

The gym at Kings Hall could look like this by 2029. Photograph: Hackney Council

Dannii Hadaway has lived in Hackney for over 35 years and learnt to swim at Kings Hall. But the 39-year-old stopped going to the leisure centre in recent years because “it became too dated” and was “essentially unchanged since my childhood”.

“Once you reach the swimming area, you’re met with strong, unpleasant smells, changing rooms with faulty locks, old lockers, dirty floors, outdated showers, and a cold swimming pool,” Hadaway told the Citizen. 

She added that despite her son’s school being in Homerton, his class travelled all the way to Britannia for swimming lessons because of the quality of the facilities.

Speaking about the length of the planned closure, Hadaway added: “If that’s what it takes to get it right, then so be it. We’ve lived with it in this condition for over 40 years.”

More information on the planned closure of Kings Hall Leisure Centre can be found here.