Brighton’s Open Market starts trading from temporary home

The Open Market started trading from its temporary home in Francis Street today (Monday 9 January).

Traders moved as the market – between London Road and The Level – is being demolished and rebuilt.

The rebuilt market will have 44 permanent covered stalls and 12 creative workshops for arts, crafts and creative people selling their own work.

A central square will have space for activities, entertainment and specialist visiting markets.

The £18 million rebuilding of the market is being paid for the Hyde Group, the housing association, which is building 87 “affordable homes” on the site.

Brighton and Hove City Council said that the scheme would also bring environmental improvements to Francis Street, making it an attractive shared space for cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

The council said that the equivalent of about 100 full-time jobs would be created by the completed scheme.

A further 80 full-time jobs would be created while the building work was carried out.

Hyde is working with City College Brighton and Hove to train local youngsters and provide apprenticeships through an onsite training and skills academy.

The project is expected to last until the summer of next year.

In the meantime traders have a purpose-built temporary home in Francis Street, between London Road and Ditchling Road.

Stallholders will be selling everything from fruit and veg, fish and other groceries to flowers, pet food and haberdashery. There is also a market café.

Councillor Ian Davey, the council’s cabinet member for transport and the public realm, said: “It’s such a proud moment to get this major project off the ground for the city.

“It should provide a catalyst for the regeneration of London Road and become a real hub of the community.”

Hyde’s development manager Tom Shaw said: “Hyde has worked tirelessly with the council and the market traders to reach this exciting first stage.

“We’re delighted to see the traders opening for business in their temporary home and very much look forward to welcoming them back in 2013 when the transformation will be completed.”

Traders’ representative Paul Reynolds, who is a director of the community interest company that will run the revamped market, said:  “It’s an historic day and the start of a new era for the market.

“The retailing expert Mary Portas has been talking recently about how markets can regenerate shopping areas and get businesses started and that’s how we see the future.

“In the meantime I’d urge people to keep shopping at the market’s temporary base in Francis Street.”

A market started in the area after the First World War, when mainly ex-servicemen started trading from barrows in nearby Oxford Street.