Traders fear Brighton’s Open Market is being ‘brought to its knees’
Traders claim that changes in how the market runs are “brought to its knees” for them.
Brighton’s Open Market is the city’s sole covered market and is home to a variety of market vendors, including cafes, produce businesses, apparel, music, and more. Traders say they’ve witnessed a steady reduction in recent years, and some feel it’s due to inconsistent trading hours.
Sarah Jones has been running The Fruit Bowl, an independent grocer, for nine years and claims the market used to be thriving.
Two and a half years ago, new management took over the market and decided to let people open and close when they wanted.
Sarah is one of several traders who signed a contract that requires her to open and close at specific times, and she believes that “because no one is open at the same time,” the market suffers.
Sarah Jones, owner of The Fruit Bowl (Image: The Argus)
“I’ve lost the morning trade because lots of people don’t open until 11,” she told me. “My God, we were thriving.
I used to get school moms come through in the morning, and all of the stalls would be full.
It prevents people from entering if only some of us are open.
“It should be busy. This isn’t a pop-up; it’s about people’s lives. I’ve been talking about core hours for two years, and nothing has changed.”
Sarah isn’t the only one who believes more should be done to increase market demand. Last September, Kyuhoon Choi founded Korpan, a Korean and Japanese deli.
He gestures to the empty stalls in the middle of the market, expressing concern about commerce.
“It’s Christmas, it should be crowded,” he joked.” “I know the economy is poor right now, yet London Road is busy.
“We serve quality food at a good price, and we have a lot of running costs.”
Kyuhoon Choi, owner of Korpan (Image: Supplied)
Raj Shah has been running Guru World Foods and Spices with his mother for five years.
They both believe the market is worsening, and the irregularity of trading hours is contributing to the situation.
“There hasn’t been proper enforcement of contractual rules and obligations,” he told me. “For a community of this size, we should have something better to display; other towns perform better.
He continued, “The market has been pushed to its knees. “London Road has seen such a big boom, so why hasn’t that been reflected in the market?”Raj Shah, owner of Guru World Foods and Spices (Image: The Argus)
The London Road region has had a market since the late nineteenth century, although trading has gradually declined since the 1970s.
In April 2006, the city council and the Open Market Traders Association created a business case for a new market, which evolved into the current Open Market.
The redevelopment was accomplished by a collaborative effort between the Open Market Traders, Hyde Housing Association, and the council.
Raj wishes to see the values upon which the market was founded respected. “It should be kept true to what it is: a space for everyone.”
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