THE NEW manager of London Road's Open Market has pledged to get it back on track after highlighting "101 issues" with the site.

Chris Pobjoy warned the market would be gone in a year if the problems are not addressed.

Mr Pobjoy is one of eight directors who has taken over the running of the Open Market in Brighton after previous management company Ethical Property terminated its contract.

The Argus reported in January that traders were calling for Ethical to stand aside and let them manage the site after questions were raised over performance, staffing levels and spending controls.

The new team took over the running of the £4.5 million market on April 1 and is examining a list of shortcomings with a view to "bringing a bit of Borough Market to Brighton and Hove".

Mr Pobjoy, 57, told The Argus: "The market is an absolute jewel in the London Road crown. The road is being regenerated very quickly and the market is an absolutely vital piece of that jigsaw.

"But there are 101 issues with the market and all of them need addressing if we are going to go forward.

"If they are not addressed there will not be a market by this time next year."

Ethical Property ended its agreement just over halfway through a three-year contract although it will retain a presence on the board of the market’s community interest company because it owns the leases on the workshops in the market.

Mr Pobjoy runs his own sales and marketing business, is a trustee of the Hippodrome and previously ran The Romans pub and The Bevy.

He said: "A lot of the things in place at the moment need revisiting. The trading agreements and leases we have are not conducive for having the market run for the benefit of the traders."

Among his suggestions are making the core hours more flexible and making it easier for temporary traders to set up shop.

Mr Pobjoy said restrictions on selling hot food and punters consuming alcohol were among the things that meant the market was being "strangled by bureaucracy".

"It would add another element," he said. "Can you imagine going to Borough Market in London and not being able to eat hot food or consume alcohol?"

He also envisions putting more skylights in the canopy, introducing free wifi and bringing in art students to brighten up an area he likens to a car park.

Ethical has said it will continue to work with the board to bring about a smooth transition and ensure "the market fulfils its potential".