THE city’s council leader has welcomed plans for the new food hall on the seafront.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Nancy Platts said: “We are really excited about this project which reflects our commitment to community wealth building – creating opportunities for independent local businesses, jobs for residents and ensuring that money spent in the city stays in the city.

“We also welcome the commitment from Sessions to using locally sourced produce and working closely with many local groups including the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and food waste company Karma, along with its support for our Living Wage campaign.

“Residents and visitors can look forward to enjoying the very best of Brighton and Hove’s diverse food offering, knowing that they are helping to support the local economy.”

Sessions Market is led by chief executive Dan Warne, previously managing director at Deliveroo, and its chairman is restaurant veteran Graham Turner.

Dan said: “We’re incredibly excited to be chosen to deliver our ethically driven, immersive food hall concept to the much-anticipated Shelter Hall seafront development.

“Sessions’ world-class vision combines the best food, drink and entertainment from the top and emerging food offers across Brighton and Hove. And we already have a number of the city’s favourite independent restaurants supporting our plans and ready to join us.

“Sustainability, community and local philanthropy are at the centre of our business model.

“With a local team on board, community partnerships already in place and a financial model set to give back to the community, we say roll on 2020.”

Kieron Sherlock, Property Director at Imbiba, investors for Sessions Market, said: “We’re delighted to be backing the new Food Hall for Sessions Market Ltd on Brighton’s famous seafront, Shelter Hall is an iconic venue which will showcase the very best of Brighton and Hove’s exciting food scene all under one roof.

“It’s a new dining concept for the city which meets the demands from modern diners to have great experiences in beautiful places.”