With the first phase of the Black Rock rejuvenation project completed, the council is working with the newly established seafront development board to develop a long-term vision for the site to become an evolving destination for the city.
In the meantime, the council is looking for shorter-term commercial proposals for the vacant site.
Councillor Birgit Miller, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Heritage said: “Nestled between the green space of the South Downs National Park and the blue space of Brighton’s seafront, Black Rock represents a great opportunity for short term events or longer activations throughout the year, creating new reasons for out of season visits.
“The nearby listed residential areas such as Sussex Square, and connections to the vibrant neighbourhoods of Kemptown, Whitehawk and the Marina, means Black Rock is perfectly located to capture diverse audiences with a broad range of tastes and needs.
“We would particularly like to see proposals that include live performance, arts and creativity as a key part of their offer, complimenting and enhancing the citywide creative landscape.”
The revitalised half hectare site on the eastern seafront is due to be developed in the next five years. But in the meantime, the area provides a unique location for commercial operators to offer a new creative destination that could deliver a broad range of activations, events, exhibitions and installations.
The council is currently going through the process of licencing the site for temporary activations or activities to take place in 2026.
Steve Bassam, the Rt Hon Lord Bassam of Brighton chairs the seafront development board. He said: “The development of Black Rock has been a long time coming.
“I remember swimming in the old outdoor pool in the 70s. It was much loved, if chilly, and east Brighton lost a tourist gem and sometime destination when it closed.
“Now we have the opportunity to bring a leisure and pleasure facility back while we formulate a long-term use for the site. We can test the site, cultivate interest and explore how it can be best used. All while creating exciting new reasons to draw residents and visitors to this part of the seafront all year round.
“Following the council’s extensive work on conservation, landscaping and making the area suitable for use, I’m excited to think about possibilities for the site’s future as a new destination for the city.”
Applicants should consider how their proposals would complement and connect into the whole of the adjoining Brighton Marina Estate.
Louise Taylor, Centre Director, Brighton Marina added: “As close neighbours to Black Rock, we at Brighton Marina are excited about the opportunity to see this unique space activated in creative and meaningful ways.
“We're always keen to be a good neighbour and explore how we can work together to support local ideas.
“If you’re thinking about making a proposal, we’d really welcome a conversation about how the Marina might collaborate with or complement your plans.”
The activation of the space will be an important milestone in the emerging creative vision for the east shore, which aims to rejuvenate and breathe new life into this stretch of the city’s world-famous coastline.
Recent improvements are already attracting many more residents and visitors to the area. They include the opening of the Reading Room and Temple cafes and refurbishment of the Volks Railway station and toilets, as well as the opening of the beach boardwalk.
These improvements, as well as temporary use of the space for activation or events is only possible following significant work on the site to:
Applications should be made by the end of November and will be reviewed in December.
More information can be found on the council website at Trading on the seafront
