Leisure World development in Southampton takes another step forward

What the new development could look like. Credit: Southampton City Council

Plans to redevelop Leisure World in Southampton have taken another step forward, after the City Council approved the commercial terms for the scheme.

The announcement means that work on the multi-million pound scheme could commence in early 2023.

It follows outline planning approval earlier this year, which will see the scheme create a mixed-use development.

Over one thousand jobs will be created through the scheme, as well as 650 new homes in the city.

What the Leisure World scheme will feature:

  • £250m investment in Southampton city centre

  • Cinema, casino, leisure and wellbeing facilities

  • 650 new homes

  • Two 150-room hotels

  • 80 serviced hotel apartments

  • Modern workspace

  • Vibrant public realm

  • 1000+ jobs

  • Much improved linkages within the city centre

The plans, which have been years in the making, will play a vital role in helping the city recover from the pandemic and grow the local economy.

It's expected to take six to eight years to be fully completed, but certain aspects could be completed and occupied by 2024.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth at Southampton City Council, said:

“Leisure World is a key development site within Southampton and is particularly important to support recovery from the pandemic as we grow the local economy and get Southampton moving.

“Through this inward investment, the Leisure World development not only creates a large number of jobs during the six to eight years of construction, it also creates many new permanent jobs once the scheme is completed.

“It’s fantastic news that the terms of the conditional development agreement and new head-lease has been approved as this enables all parties to progress the scheme forward and I look forward to seeing a start on site.”