Food market and taproom would bring slice of Europe to Brighton

Danny Tapper, owner of Beak Brewery which opened Lewes shortly before lockdown, said he wants to emulate the success of food halls in continental Europe as he looks to open a new site in Trafalgar Street later this year.

The Beak Market would open inside former garages next to the renowned Prince Albert pub. It would bring kitchen spaces and a craft beer taproom to the North Laine.

Danny, 39, told The Argus that the taprooms were a natural progression of the Beak Brewery business.

He said: “The food hall is really inspired by Europe and sites in Florence and Bilbao and Sienna.

“It’s not about drinking vast amounts, it’s about the food and drink.

Daniel Tapper (Image: Beak Brewery)

“We are encouraging people to try food from amazing local kitchens. We would rather have a selection of people who are the best in their fields.

“We have been reaching out to local residents and businesses, including the Prince Albert who have been massively supportive.”

Danny, a former food writer for the Good Food Guide and the Guardian, moved to Lewes nearly a decade ago having grown up in Yorkshire.

He said that he set up Beak Brewery in 2020 and got the keys to their site just two weeks before lockdown.

The company pivoted their plans and made money delivering beer across Sussex while pubs and the nighttime economy were closed.

After setting up its taproom in Cliffe Industrial Estate, the brewery has now submitted plans for Beak Market, a new taproom and street food market in Trafalgar Street.

Danny says they have not approached any food vendors yet and won't do so until their licensing applications are approved. But his plan is to support small kitchens which are “the best in their field”.

If approved, Beak Market will ideally be open in late autumn.

The project comes after previous plans for flats on the site were met with anger. Campaigners said building homes next to the Prince Albert would put the pub's future in jeopardy.

A petition to "save" the site was launched and gained a wave of public and political support. Artists including Fatboy Slim also backed the petition.

Brighton and Hove City Council eventually rejected plans for the flats, paving the way for the new Beak Brewery site.

George Taylor, owner and landlord of the Prince Albert Pub, said: “We think what Beak is proposing is a fantastic idea and exactly what this area needs.

“From the beginning we’ve thought a food market is the best way forward for this vacant plot and we can’t think of anyone better to bring this into reality than Beak.

“We know how much care and attention they put into everything they do and we have no doubt it will be the same with this. We really hope the council approves the plans as it’ll bring some much-needed footfall to the businesses already in the area.”

Planning and licensing applications for the site are currently before Brighton and Hove City Council.