The first stage of an £18m regeneration programme is about to begin in Brighton as the remaining traders from Brighton’s Open Market move out of units some of them have operated from for more than 30 years. The market will be held in nearby Francis Street during the transformation, which is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.

Developers will start demolition work on the area between London Road and Ditchling Road this month. The new development will include a new covered market with 44 stalls, a central square for visiting farmers' markets and entertainment and 12 artisan workshops. It will also provide 87 affordable homes on the site while the market will be managed by a community interest company which will include traders on the board. The scheme will generate about 100 jobs for 80 full-time workers, as well as apprentices being trained during the 18 months of construction work.

The market was first set up in 1926 when it was used by traders selling their wares from barrows and permanent stalls being built in 1938. Café owner Warren Street, 40, whose step-mother opened the stall more than 30 years ago, said: “The market needed something doing to it and it’s good that
something is being done to take it forward. But there are a lot of memories and a little bit of my step-mum will go with the move. I just don’t know how it will affect the customers. It used to be all cheap food and goods but that is likely to change.”

Shopper Paul Chapman, 77, of Hollingdean, Brighton, said: “I first started coming here in the 1960s. You just can’t beat the price of the produce.”