The Old Market in Hove has had a troubled history over the years.

Financial troubles ended the first attempt to restore it in the Eighties, and they have surfaced again despite a large National Lottery grant.

Now chief executive Stephen Neiman is quitting, apparently because he disagrees with a decision to hold some money-raising pop concerts at the venue.

Mr Neiman, who has seen through the current project from its early days, will know more than most about the precarious finances of a venture such as this.

In an ideal world it would be possible to be a purist about events at the Old Market. But when cash is short, the venture has to be kept going by money-raising concerts owing more to the Beatles than Bach.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with pop concerts. They're held at many concert halls, including Hove Town Hall.

With his experience, Stephen Neiman is well placed to find a post in the classical music world. Meanwhile, there's no reason why his successor shouldn't use a bit of rock to roll away any overdraft.