The Open Market

Great place to buy cheese (there is a cheese shop with good prices there), bread and have a meal (at falafel place, greek restaurant and bakery at the same side of the market). The only thing is that the market could be open for more time.

The Open Market is in fact now a covered market, so you don’t need to worry about getting rained on. There are probably forty or so «stalls» (the ones round the edges of the market are more like proper shops). You can buy all sorts of things here, meat, fruit and veg, as well as gift and craft items. Secondhand book stalls too, so there is plenty of browsing to be had. There are also a few cafes, which I have yet to sample. If this place was on my doorstep I would probably be here all the time.

The revamped Open Market is a welcome addition to the now up and coming London Road area.
With interesting stalls and shops, this is a place where you can truly buy local. My personal favourite shop at the moment is Tea and Honey.
It tends to be a lot quieter during the week, with just the main units being open rather than the market stalls. I have yet to visit on a Saturday when it is a lot busier.

You cannot find a better place in Brighton to buy all your fruit and veg — when you compare it to how much you’d spend in a supermarket; it’s a LOT less.
I bought fresh purple sprouting broccoli, nectarines, pack choi, coriander — so much more I filled my entire rucksack with fresh produce and spent only £6.
There is a great butchers, fresh egg stall, french patisserie bread show and lots of other little quirky independent shops — I strongly recommend everyone to take a trip and see how much more enjoyable and how much cheaper it is than shopping in a supermarket!

This is an absolutely Brightonian place! It isn’t too big, but I found so many useful stuff there, also cheaper and better quality.
You can buy there locally grown/​produced foods, to start with vegetables, finish with eggs, meat, and loads of various cheese. A massive slice of bree was only 1.20; there is also a wide choice of goats other types of cheese, at very affordable prices. (Very important for cheese-​lovers).
There are plenty of eggs: chicken eggs, duck eggs, free range eggs, jumbo eggs, small eggs. I got a tray of small free range eggs only for 2 quid, that’s a bargain!
There are some deli counters, meat, egg counters, fruit and veg, fish, vintage furniture, flower shop, café, ice cream counter, possibly some more shops, I haven’t noticed and also pet supplies for all types of pets (from a parrot to a dog), which is quite useful, as Brighton doesn’t seem to have many pet shops.
I think, Open Market is must try, everyone will find something nice, useful or edible here.

A real blast from the past. Quirky and interesting shops, people and street furniture (including an upright piano and stool chained to a lamp!). A little improvement would help but I fear a total transformation and renovation would kill the soul of this unique Brighton venue.

With it’s gated entrance and central feel just off London road, I always enjoy wandering around the Open Market. There are a number of large greengrocers selling all manner of fruit and veg. The prices are very competitive and I can’t fault the produce. The staff have that classic market attitude and a no nonsense hustle bustle. Again, I like this a lot more than the company policy approach of shopping in a supermarket.
There is also a fish monger and butcher located in the heart of the market. Again, the prices are pretty competitive with a supermarket or other butchers along London road. The only word of warning I would provide is that is can get somewhat ‘fresh’ smelling if you are there in the summer months and a visit in the early morning is preferable.
Aside from these stalls, expect a no nonsense little café, cheese guy and a few other random stalls and shops selling random goods. As with all markets, it will shut earlier than regular shops, so make sure you get there early, although you can bag a deal from the fruit and veg if you buy up stock that is coming to the end of its shelf life.

This isn’t exactly a perfect example of a thriving community market, but that can’t really be blamed on the traders. Unfortunately London Road has been pillaged by discount chain stores and supermarkets, all of which have forced most local traders to seek pastures new.
None the less, I love a market like this. Most days you will be able to find green grocers, butchers, a fish market, egg shop and a few second bicycle and junk shops.
It is all pretty cheap, if not a bit dated and weathered. Worth a visit though, unquestionably so.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first entered The Open Market, but I certainly expected to find less than what I found. There’s quite a lot here, and it’s a fantastic place to browse.
There are many stalls where you can purchase things for cheap. You’ll find stalls that sell tools, stalls that sell cheese, stalls that sell fruits and veg, stalls that sell designer t-​shirts, stalls that sell occult merchandise, stalls that sell seafood… there’s a terrific variety here. It’s not the best organized, but it’s the best place to rummage through and buy something for cheap.

I love the Open Market, although I feel its days may sadly be numbered, as it seems to get less and less popular.
Stalls here are fixed mini-​shops rather than traditional outdoor type market stalls.
Stalls here cover a wide range. There are traditional food market stalls — selling fish, meat, cheese and more. Then there are a couple of general, messy second hand bric a brac stalls. There are stalls selling plants and flowers, and at certain times, Christmas trees, two second hand bike shops, and a free book exchange.
I would love to see the place revived by the council, perhaps with some temporary stalls to mix things up a bit, and longer opening hours. In these recession-​bitten times, that seems unlilkely.

The London Road Open Market is a handy resource for those living in the area, and even worth a bit of a travel to as it’s one of the (if not the) cheapest places for fruit and veg I know of in Brighton. However, as Sarah-​Jane B. said, the place has been left abit neglected, with lack of support and customers being pulled away by the many London Road area supermarkets and discount stores. It’s sad to see; take a walk round the market today and you’ll find few customers and many empty stalls. The place still remains popular with me, as it’s one of the few places in Brighton where you can find good value independent food sellers — like cheese, bacon and eggs, and fish. There’s also a fabric stall and second hand bike shop which are worth checking out. All in all the Open Market looks neglected and in need of rescuing — get yourself there if you live locally!

The Open Market is a great local resource and a brilliant way to support independent traders… when they’re there! As others have observed, the market seems to be in decline– the vibrant fruit and veg stalls that used to populate the Ditchling Rd end of the Market seem to have vanished without trace, which is disappointing, as they were pretty damn cheap! There is still the fruit and veg place on the other side though. In fact, business is much more concentrated at the London Rd end now, which I suppose is the busiest area. It’s a shame though, as many stalls have been left empty and the bustling market atmosphere has all but vanished. There are still some great vendors in business though… the bike place is brilliant for repairs or picking up some cheap secondhand wheels– the guy who runs the place is also an absolute legend and his daughter was Sarah in Neighbours– seriously, ask him about it!
Despite its fading identity, the Open Market is still a good place to pick up fish, meat and other local produce. Be sure to check out Pulse too– it’s a great little hidden away wholefoods shop.
Apparently the Open Market is set to be ‘regenerated’, with design plans currently underway. Watch this space… I’m worried that Brighton might be about to lose another of it’s wonderful original features!

The Open Market is a bit of a rough diamond, but it’s really is a hidden gem. In fact I would almost go as far as to say it’s the Jewel in the Crown, which is the London Road.
O.K. enough of the Semi/​Precious Rock themed sayings. Basically though this place is great, because it’s local, independent and incredibly diverse.
I have picked up a £3 shirt, which became a favourite, a £1 box of free range egg’s, numerous cheap bike repairs, fresh and cheap vegetables and also some Thai Red Bull. I haven’t yet laid my hands on the fresh fish and meats, or the cheap all day breakfasts, or the Amsterdam bikes, which are also on sale.
There really is so much here to buy, which is why it’s such a shame that it doesn’t seem to be doing that well, but you the consumer can change this, which I thoroughly recommend, for yourself, as well as for the Market.

Established in the 1930s, Brighton Open Market used to be a thriving market where everyone in the local community would walk to get their daily or weekly shopping.
Blame it on the rise of super-​markets, the decline of communities or Council neglect. Whatever the reason, the Open Market these days is a shadow of it’s former self. Housed inbetween London Road and Ditchling Road, it straddles a small area with lots of small and medium sized stalls and lock-​ups. A lot of the stall holders packed up and left sometime ago but there are a dozen or so still hanging on and servicing the locals. As well as the excellent Pulse Organics and Jasons’ Eggs and Bacon Shop — which I’ve reviewed seperately — there’s a a couple of cracking fruit and veg stalls, a fish stall, flower and plant stalls, a large haberdashery and material stall, a carpentry and work tools stall and a bike stall. What’s more, they all offer goods cheaper than anywhere else in the city.
If you’re in the area its worth popping round to pick up some groceries or dairy products but it’s not worth a special trip across town. Not unless you really want some of the magical goats cheese or the dried mangos from the shops mentioned above!

A covered market located on the London Road area of Brighton. It has quite a few stalls offering cheese to junk furniture. Brighton’s slightly Boho air is reflected in some of the stalls.
However the market suffers from numerous empty units. This is because its located away from the main shopping areas in Churchill Square. However it does attract some trade from Brightonians rather than visitors. I particularly like the Thai shop at the entrance which sells essential Thai groceries.

I’ve lived in brighton all my life and have seen the sad decline of this little market. Gone are most of the fishmongers and butchers and what’s left looks a little depressed. There are so many places now in Brighton which sell fruit and veg and this place is falling behind. It doesn’t help that it’s on what is perhaps the worst road in Brighton (The London Road) and badly needs renovating.
Having said this, the stalls still there are not bad, and the shops are interesting too. Everything just needs a clean and an update.

Only 3 out of 5 because I didn’t think the array of stalls was that impressive when I went — having read the other reviews though, I think I need to get out of bed earlier! I did get some very good value bacon and eggs mind as Dr02e mentions, and the fishmonger looked great but I wasn’t going straight home and didn’t want to chance dodgy fish food poisoning. Am definitely going to keep an eye out for the Thai place.

I most of my grocery shopping here. It’s cheap and lovely and even has a shop dedicated to chilli :)

This market has plans to be redeveloped and not soon enough. The best part is the entrance when the visitor is welcomed by flowers and a good flower stall. After this its down hill. The back of the market is fruit & veg. The middle is not well loved & seems not cared for by the stall holders. The café is very greasy Joe’s.
I don’t know when the revamp will happen but it won’t come soon enough!

This small local market is found in between the level and the opening to London Road high street. The stalls vary in size and offer fresh fruit and veg, meat & fish, organic produce. cheese and even a bicycle stall! The produce is fresh and of a good quality and prices are quite a bit cheaper than that of your local store — be it Sainsbury’s or Somerfield. The market doesn’t get too busy and everybody working is helpful and more than happy to help! Which i find quite rare in retail! If your thinking to cook an exotic thai meal or would just like your food fresh and local for a change i suggest a visit!