MacLaren Pavilion revamp getting underway next month
Work is scheduled to begin next month on the major refurbishment of the MacLaren Pavilion at The Level.
The old building is set to be converted into a new kiosk café, three separate gender-neutral toilets, and a disabled access toilet.
The work is expected to take around three months. We’re aiming for the café and toilets to be open before the end of the summer.
Fencing will shortly be going up around the building, but people will still be able to access the playground and fountain area while the work is being done.
We’re currently in the early stages of finding a new tenant for the café who’ll also be responsible for maintaining the new toilets in return for significantly reduced rent.
Picture: The MacLaren Pavilion in its current state
A new lease of life
Approved by the City Environment, South Downs & The Sea Committee last November, the work will breathe new life into the period building.
It will also mean toilets for an area without them since we were forced to close facilities at The Level in 2022 because of significant issues with the building.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “This is very exciting news. The Level is a very popular space and families with children, the elderly and people with disabilities need to know there are good public toilets nearby.
“By giving the MacLaren Pavilion a new lease of life, we can provide excellent facilities as well as a new kiosk café for people to enjoy.
“Improving Brighton & Hove’s public toilets is one of our top priorities and we have continued to invest in facilities, including reopening the Royal Pavilion Gardens toilets last month. We’ve done some great work so far, but we won’t stop until we have public toilet facilities the city can be proud of and accessible to all our residents and visitors.”
The work so far
April 2024: The facilities in the Royal Pavilion Gardens are reopened and a new Changing Places toilet is opened at the One Garden in Stanmer Park.
March 2024: Black Rock, Greenleas, and Hollingbury Park toilets are opened all year round as part of changes to the service
January 2024: We announce the toilets at Goldstone Villas in Hove and the Ovingdean Undercliff will get a significant revamp as part of Phase 2 of our refurbishment programme.
July 2023: 7 more public toilets are opened at Blakers Park, Greenleas, Easthill Park, Hove Cemetery South, Queen’s Park, Stanmer Village and Vale Park
June 2023: Refurbished toilets are opened for summer 2023 as part of Phase 1 of the programme.
