Brighton Youth Centre (BYC) is eagerly anticipating the completion of its renovated and extended youth hub, which is set to become a state-of-the-art facility for young people. Building work is making rapid progress and the structure is now taking shape. The new youth centre is expected to open its doors on Saturday 25 October 2025, coinciding with the launch of this year’s B.Fest programme, an annual youth arts festival. The next challenge for BYC is to raise funds for furniture and equipment to bring the building to life.
The rebuilding and extension of the centre have been made possible through a multi-million investment from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund (£4.3Million) and Brighton and Hove City Council (£2.3Million). The west side of the building has been demolished and rebuilt, with the entrance being relocated to the corner of Edward Street. An outdoor space has also been created at the back. The team is now focusing on major renovations and internal refitting, including the installation of an accessible lift. The design, detailing, and project management of the building are being handled by ALTER in collaboration with Sunninghill Construction.
Mike Roe, CEO for Brighton Youth Centre, expressed his excitement for the upcoming completion of the project and its significance for the city and its young people. He thanked the funders, ALTER and Sunninghill Construction, and the youth who played a vital role in shaping the design of the new centre.
However, the fundraising journey is far from over, as BYC still needs to raise an additional £500,000 for furniture, decorations, and equipment. The centre has set up a dedicated page on their website for donations, and they are confident that the community will support their cause and invest in the youth and the city’s future.
Since its inception in 1917, Brighton Youth Centre has been a crucial support system for the region’s young people. It provides a safe space for them to be themselves without fear of judgment and offers a wide range of activities, including music, drama, arts, and the only indoor skateboard park in the city. BYC also connects young people to other services such as mental health, LGBTQI+ and refugee support, making it a unique and special space in the heart of the city.
Over 70 young people were involved in shaping the project design, ensuring that the centre is inclusive, accessible, and offers a range of services and activities to support youth wellbeing, employability, and health. In the coming months, young people will bring the centre to life through their ideas and creativity.
One young person at BYC expressed their love for the centre, saying, “My favourite part of the week is coming to BYC, having a conversation with the youth workers and interacting with all the activities put on for the day. I enjoy making new friends and having a space that really feels like my own, where I can really be myself and not have to worry about judgment.”
Before securing funding for the renovation and extension, BYC’s building on Edward Street was in urgent need of repair and did not have a lift, making it inaccessible to many people. The transformation of the centre has been in the works for seven years and, once complete, will be fully accessible and sustainable, designed around young people’s needs and ideas.
When it opens in October 2025, the new BYC space will be able to support 3000 young people from across the city and will create excellent opportunities for work and volunteering. The centre will offer a range of spaces and activities, including a new indoor skatepark, a performance space, digital hub, café and social space, GP, counselling and therapy rooms, and a refurbished sports hall for activities such as football, basketball, dance, and more. The hub will also house offices and rooms for BYC staff and partner organizations, creating a city-wide hub for youth projects in Brighton and Hove. There will also be plenty of space for self-expression and socializing, as well as unfinished areas where young people can create murals.
While the building work is underway, young people are still able to experience BYC’s activities at their temporary space at 94 Gloucester Road in the centre of Brighton.
To learn more about BYC’s new youth centre and support their fundraising efforts, visit their website page: https://www.brightonyouthcentre.org.uk/donate.
