Brighton Christmas market proposed for Valley Gardens

Brighton and Hove City Council is looking to licence the operation of a festive event, which will run for four weeks starting in December this year.

The proposal is part of the new Valley Gardens project, which started in September 2018, aiming to radically change the space between St Peter’s Church and Brighton Palace Pier.

Valley Gardens phase three proposals

The council has suggested the market will open be open from Friday, November 26 to Friday, December 24 this year, with the event’s licence running until 2023.

It said exact details are yet to be finalised and will be discussed ahead of an application.

Earlier this week, the council announced work on the final stage of the Valley Gardens project will begin later this year.

The completed Valley Gardens phase two from above Credit: Brighton and Hove City Council

Phases one and two of the three-stage scheme have been completed, with new road layouts, green spaces, bike lanes and pathways introduced between The Level and Old Steine.

Phase two was completed last summer, with major strides made during the first national lockdown as the amount of traffic on the roads fell dramatically.

The third stage will focus on the area from Old Steine to the Palace Pier.

The rejuvenated Valley Gardens following the completion of phase two

Councillor Steve Davis, chairman of the Valley Gardens task and finish working group, confirmed that Brighton and Hove City Council is “looking forward to the competition of the final part of the project.”

He said: “We have recently appointed the design team which will be reviewing the detail of the design and taking into account the consultation and engagement that’s been carried out.

“The proposal for a crossroads at Madeira Drive will remain as part of the scheme.”

• READ MORE >>> What next for the Valley Gardens project in Brighton?

Following the progress made during the first national lockdown last spring, the council was able to remove the fencing which had surrounded the green spaces in Valley Gardens for almost two years.

This move was met with a positive reaction from residents, who were impressed with how the development had improved the city centre site.

After visiting Valley Gardens shortly after it was reopened, Ben Citron said: “The transformation is amazing. Such a lovely use of the space. Money and time well spent.”

Jimmy Gregory was also full of praise for the new look.

He said: “What’s been achieved here is beautiful, and a drastic improvement from what was there before.

“Well done to planners, designers and road workers for this excellent piece of design and landscaping - your design will last the test of time, I am sure.”