Traders at the Open Market in Brighton badly needed a new canopy when the old one started falling to bits.

It looked brilliant. But the trouble was it gave absolutely no protection from the wind, rain and sun.

Traders felt the full force of all the elements and in many cases their goods were ruined. Some of them put up their own canopies to give proper protection.

Now the city council has held an inquiry into the canopy and has concluded permanent protection measures are needed, which could cost up to £100,000 - money which need not have been spent had the design been right. It's been an expensive lesson for the council, which owns the market, and a painful time for the traders.

Now they need to look at the long-term future of the market, which has provided good, cheap food for thousands of people for many years.

Markets have become tourist attractions in many other towns and cities. Brighton could do the same.

A new building could transform the Open Market into a covered market with full protection from the elements. Valuable space could also be provided on the upper floors for other activities.

But before tarting any scheme of this nature, the council needs to consult closely with traders so the sort of mistakes made with the canopy are not repeated.