Thirteen years ago The Old Market lay derelict, home to pigeons and the occasional vagrant.

At the time residents did not seem at all concerned about the building’s fate. Neither, it seems, did the council.

Then in 1996, Stephen Neiman, executive director of the Hanover Band, obtained grants for feasibility studies and restoration and the venue was reopened in 1999 by the Duke of Kent as a fully viable centre for the arts. It is now a flexible space for hosting some of the most illustrious talents in the world, from rock concerts to musicals, string quartets, jazz festivals, literary events and art exhibitions.

The list is vast and includes local stage school performances, music competitions, weddings and parties.

Now, suddenly, Brighton and Hove City Council and residents have become rather precious about the building’s heritage status and, in spite of encouragement from local councillors, turned down an application for the installation of two glass-surrounded penthouses on the roof of the building.

Designs in the newspaper (The Argus, April 24) show them to be discreet, tasteful and inoffensive.

If this is the best way to keep The Old Market from folding, then should we not be glad something is being done to preserve it? After all, the building is still intrinsically there, it is just having its uses expanded.

Nobody has so far objected to the proposed tall “needle” that could be erected to replace the West Pier and that certainly is not furthering the pier’s heritage. It is a gesture of “moving on”.

Could this concept not also be applied to The Old Market?

Mr Neiman is not asking for more money, just permission to help the building pay for itself.

If it closed now, all the good work will have come to nothing and a buzzing part of Hove’s community will once again be lost.

Perhaps someone has a better idea – or would themselves like to come forward with the £800,000 shortfall to save The Old Market.

Janet Lawrence
Carlisle Road, Hove