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Westminster locals, avid Time Out readers and racket sport enthusiasts may remember when, in 2024, we revealed the local council’s proposals for a £42 million glow up of Marylebone’s Seymour Centre. Plans to do up the 1930s leisure centre included an upgraded sports hall, a new café and a permanent home for the Marylebone Library.
Those of you with a sharp memory may also remember that the works were set to be completed by early 2026. But as we near the end of April, the leisure centre is still far from reopening. In fact, it turns out the renovations will take almost a year longer and cost quite a bit more than expected.
Willmott Dixon, the construction company responsible for the renovations, has extended the project’s deadline four times since works began, which it has chalked up to unexpected issues at the site. Asbestos was found in the ceiling – yep, that stuff that used to be used for insulation, until someone realised it can cause some nasty diseases including lung cancer and aptly-named asbestosis. Yikes.
Issues with some of the Grade II-listed leisure centre’s heritage windows pushed construction back even further.
‘Seymour Leisure Centre is a listed building, and the council’s priority is to restore the building while respecting its listed status and historic character,’ a Westminster City Council spokesperson said at a recent meeting about the delays.
‘A number of unexpected issues came to light once works had started, which meant we had to carry out additional checks with the relevant authorities. This has unfortunately led to a delay with the overall project.
‘We understand this delay will be disappointing for residents, but we look forward to reopening a fully refurbished Seymour Centre as soon as possible.’
The Seymour Centre is expected to swing its doors open again in spring 2027, having been shuttered since February 2024. The total cost of the makeover is now estimated at around £44 million.
Once back up and running, the three-storey building will also house a children’s soft play area, open-plan gym and improved climbing wall.
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