Kier has completed the refurbishment of a new ‘vintage seaside’ themed donor centre for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) in Brighton to support the drive for blood donation.
The new permanent Brighton Blood Donor Centre will have capacity for 1,100 appointments a week, with the blood donated having the potential to save up to 3,300 lives.
Kier Places, the principal contractor, delivered the new centre in 14 weeks, working in partnership with multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, who delivered architecture, interior design and mechanical and electrical (M&E) services.
The new facility in Brighton is one of three permanent centres opened by the NHS over the last ten months as part of NHSBT’s strategy to increase blood stocks and donor numbers across England. This includes Concept House in Southampton, which opened in June this year – also delivered by Kier Places and Pick Everard.
The new centre includes six donation chairs, a recovery bed, individual consultation rooms, staff area including chill-out room and prayer room, modern waiting area, environmentally controlled storage spaces. Existing M&E elements were stripped out and replaced to meet new healthcare standards.
The new centre has been designed with a ‘vintage seaside’ theme, with the flooring featuring a sand effect, pastel colours used throughout the interior, photography of well-known Brighton and Hove sites, and consultation rooms named after prominent local landmarks, including the Royal Pavilion and Palace Pier.
Alec Jackman, regional director for Building Solutions, part of Kier Places, said:
"This new centre represents a significant step forward for NHSBT in Brighton, and we’re proud to have played a part in delivering a facility that will directly benefit patients and the wider community.
Our expertise lies in delivering fast-paced refurbishment projects, and this scheme is a strong example of how we can transform existing spaces into modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare environments. The urgency around blood donation meant speed and precision were essential - and our teams, alongside our trusted partners, delivered exactly that.
The success of this project was built on strong collaboration between NHSBT, Kier, and Pick Everard. Together, we’ve created a high-quality donation centre that will serve Brighton and the surrounding area for years to come, and we look forward to continuing to support NHSBT in its strategy for increasing donor numbers."
Caroline Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NHSBT, said:
"We are delighted to open this fantastic new donor centre, which will make it possible for even more people in Brighton to become lifesaving blood donors.
The NHS needs over 200,000 new donors every year. We hope the new centre in Brighton will increase the number of donors, so the NHS has the right mix of blood types to meet demand."
Choolwe Lourens, Architect at Pick Everard, said:
"It’s been a pleasure to contribute to a project that plays such a vital role in supporting public health. The new blood donor centre in Brighton will make it easier for people to donate, helping to strengthen the local supply and ultimately save lives.
Transforming a former commercial space into a purpose-built healthcare facility required close collaboration across the project team. We’re proud to have delivered a design that is welcoming, sympathetic of the locality – and most importantly, tailored to the needs of donors and staff alike.
This project highlights how thoughtful, user-focused design can enhance essential services and deliver real value to the community."
Simon Briggs, project supervisor for NHSBT, said:
"This project has been another great example of what can be achieved through effective stakeholder engagement and shared focus. From the early design stages and throughout construction, all partners were aligned on delivering a facility that meets the needs of both our donor care teams and our donors.
The Brighton centre has been completed to a high clinical standard, and the branding and interior design have created a welcoming environment for everyone – emphasising our goal of creating a great donor experience."
Chief Medical Officer at University Hospitals Sussex, Prof Catherine Urch, said:
"I am delighted that a new blood donor centre NHSBT has opened in Brighton. We are all so aware of the lifesaving quality of blood, and blood products that are generously donated by the public. Many patients don't get the opportunity to say thank you - but we do.
The new centre will be pivotal in widening the access of people to donate their blood, offering a convenient, comfortable environment with the expert staff. Thank you for the new centre at Brighton, thank you to all the people who have and who will donate to help save lives of our patients."
Kier Places and Pick Everard are working closely with NHSBT to identify sites across the country that could be used in similar capacities.
Watch our video on the completion of NHSBT Brighton blood donation centre refurbishment:
