Last Updated on 20 May 2026 by Dave King
Brighton and Hove has community centres in most neighbourhoods, offering affordable room hire, weekly classes, social groups and events. They range from small neighbourhood halls to larger multi-room venues with kitchens, gardens and accessible facilities. This guide lists the main community centres in Brighton and Hove with addresses, contact details and what each one is known for. For the full directory, the Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network represents community buildings across the city.
Table of Contents
Community Centres at a Glance
| Centre | Address | Phone | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Community Centre | Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL | 01273 327757 | Low-cost room hire, classes, arts, employment support |
| Hanover Community Centre | 33 Southover Street, Brighton BN2 9UD | 01273 694873 | Affordable room hire 7 days a week, classes, community events |
| The Old Boat Corner Community Centre | Carden Park, Carden Hill, Hollingbury, Brighton BN1 8GN | 01273 540779 or oldboatccc@gmail.com | Community cinema, cooking projects, warm welcome space |
| Tower House Community Centre | 265-267 Towergate, London Road, Brighton BN1 6WT | 01273 549604 or towerhouse@svp.org.uk | Activities, groups, dementia-friendly sessions |
| Hangleton Community Centre | Harmsworth Crescent, Hove BN3 8BW | 01273 292962 or office@hangletoncommunitycentre.org.uk | Health and wellbeing activities |
| Hollingdean Community Centre | Thompson Road, Hollingdean, Brighton BN1 7BH | 01273 236160 | Community projects addressing local needs |
The Main Centres
Cornerstone Community Centre
Cornerstone is on Church Road in Hove, at the corner of First Avenue. It is a registered charity serving the Brunswick and Adelaide wards and has four rooms available for hire at low cost. It runs a wide range of weekly classes, groups and activities for all ages, including arts, employment and training support, and English language lessons.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 9:30pm, Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9:30am to 5pm.
Contact: 01273 327757 or cornerstonecommunitycentre@hotmail.com
Address: Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL
Hanover Community Centre
The Hanover Centre has been at the heart of the Hanover neighbourhood for over 40 years. It has two spacious halls and a meeting room, all available for hire from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. The centre is community-run and hosts local classes, services, movie nights, trestle table sales and its own events. Facilities include free wifi, a kitchen, a garden and wheelchair access.
Contact: 01273 694873 or bookings@hanovercc.org
Address: 33 Southover Street, Brighton BN2 9UD
The Old Boat Corner Community Centre
The Old Boat Corner on Carden Park, Carden Hill in Hollingbury is an affordable meeting place for groups, families and other organisations. It runs activities throughout the week including community cinema on Friday afternoons, cooking projects and a warm welcome space with free access during colder months. It has a cafe on site.
Contact: 01273 540779 or oldboatccc@gmail.com
Address: Carden Park, Carden Hill, Hollingbury, Brighton BN1 8GN
Other Centres Across the City
Tower House Community Centre at 265-267 Towergate, London Road (BN1 6WT) hosts various groups and activities, including dementia-friendly sessions run in partnership with local care providers. Phone 01273 549604 or email towerhouse@svp.org.uk.
Hangleton Community Centre at Harmsworth Crescent, Hove (BN3 8BW) provides community facilities focused on health and wellbeing for local residents. Phone 01273 292962 or email office@hangletoncommunitycentre.org.uk.
Hollingdean Community Centre at Thompson Road, Hollingdean (BN1 7BH) is managed by the Hollingdean Development Trust, a charity that addresses issues of poverty, deprivation and education in the area and attracts funding for resident-led projects. Phone 01273 236160.
Brighthelm Community Centre is near Brighton Station and houses Afrori Books, an award-winning independent bookshop and community space.
There are many more community centres across Brighton and Hove beyond these. The Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network maintains a membership directory, and Community Base at 113 Queens Road (BN1 3XG) lists venue hire options across the city. You can also search the ESCIS database for community organisations and venues across East Sussex including Brighton and Hove.
Room Hire
Most community centres in Brighton offer affordable room hire for classes, meetings, parties and events. Prices depend on the room size, time of day and length of hire. Cornerstone has four rooms at low-cost rates. Hanover has three hire spaces from 8am to 10pm daily. Smaller centres may have simpler arrangements.
When enquiring about hire, have these details ready: the date, start and finish times, expected number of people, whether you need kitchen access, and any accessibility requirements. Some centres ask for public liability insurance for certain types of events. Always get written confirmation of the booking terms and costs.
How to Find Activities
Community centres publish their timetables on their own websites and social media pages. For a broader search across Brighton and Hove:
The Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network links to member centres and their programmes.
Community Base connects people with community and voluntary groups across the city.
The ESCIS database holds searchable information on around 5,000 local organisations in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s events directory also lists activities at council-linked venues.
Timetables change seasonally and some sessions need pre-booking, so check directly with the centre before visiting.
FAQs
What are the main community centres in Brighton?
The main ones include Cornerstone in Hove, Hanover Community Centre, The Old Boat Corner, Tower House, Hangleton, Hollingdean and Brighthelm. The Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network has the full list of member centres across the city.
Can I hire a room at a community centre in Brighton?
Yes. Most community centres in Brighton offer room hire for meetings, classes, parties and events. Prices vary by centre and room size. Contact the centre directly with your dates, expected numbers and any accessibility needs to get a quote.
How much does it cost to hire a community centre room?
It varies. Community centres in Brighton are generally affordable compared to commercial venues, with prices depending on room size, time of day and duration. Some centres offer reduced rates for charities, community groups or regular bookings. Contact the centre for current prices.
Are community centres in Brighton wheelchair accessible?
Most centres have some level of accessible provision. Cornerstone has ground-floor access and flexible room layouts. Hanover has wheelchair access. Always check with the specific centre before visiting if you have accessibility requirements, as provision varies between buildings.
How do I find out what activities are running?
Check each centre’s website or social media pages for current timetables. Community Base, the ESCIS database and the Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network all list activities and organisations across the city.
Final Thoughts
Community centres in Brighton are some of the most affordable spaces in the city for classes, events, meetings and social groups. Cornerstone in Hove and Hanover Centre in Brighton are two of the most established, both offering low-cost room hire and regular weekly activities. For a full picture of what is available across the city, the Brighton and Hove Community Buildings Network and Community Base are the best starting points. Contact centres directly to check current timetables and availability, as programmes change throughout the year.
