The first artist’s impressions of ambitious plans for Brighton’s Open Market are to go on display this week
A public exhibition of proposals for the multi-million pound transformation can be seen in the former Co-Op department store, London Road, this weekend.
The new covered market would provide 44 permanent market stalls plus 12 art and craft workshops for traders selling their own work. A central piazza would have space for 64 visiting market stalls, or events and exhibitions.
Ninety-one affordable homes would be built, turning Francis Street into a residential mews. Public spaces around Francis Street and Marshalls Row would be improved.
Members of the team working on the Open Market project will be on hand to answer any questions from 10am to 6pm Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday.
Housing association HydeMartlet, part of the Hyde Group, is staging the display together with the Open Market Trader Association, with council backing.
LCE Architects, who helped create Jubilee Library, are designing the scheme.
A car club, plus a van club – the first in the city – would provide eco-friendly transport for traders and local residents.
Following the public exhibition, a planning application is expected in this summer. The whole scheme would take up to two years to build. A temporary market for a number of traders would be available during construction.
A council spokesman said: “The project has been very much progressing behind the scenes. Now we’re at the stage where the council, HydeMartlet and traders are all very keen to get people’s views. So we’re urging as many people as possible to spare a few minutes to have a look.”
Tom Shaw, HydeMartlet Development Project Manager, said: “I would encourage locals to come along to the public exhibition, take a look at the proposal and contribute to the consultation. The proposed Open Market regeneration will be a positive change to the area. The plan is to create an exciting mixed use development combining an outstanding modern day market with affordable housing, a hub for arts based craft people and a venue for street art and entertainment.”
yes its looks nice in the photos now .. WHO ever approved them big pillars http://www.ethicalproperty.co.uk/images/content/28_Market-View-3.jpg why could they not be incorpteated in to the walls making that entrance a fair bit wider and less like a narrow pinch ” focal ” point ..