I was interested to read of the problems suffered by traders at the Open Market in Brighton (Argus, April 9).

When the food hygiene regulations first became operative in the mid-Fifties, the Health Department quickly realised the Open Market needed attention.

At that time it was wholly deficient. However, it was a popular venue and supplied good, cheap food.

The health department recommended a proper covered market building should be provided so traders could operate in comfort.

A designed building plan was submitted to the council for consideration but when the details were published, it met with considerable opposition from retail shops and businesses in the London Road area, backed by the Chamber of Commerce.

In order to save the market from extinction, a cheaper, ill-designed alternative had to be thought out with the walk-through centre to accommodate covered meat and fish stalls as required by the regulations. This has been in existence ever since, now augmented by the dreaded canopy disliked by so many. A rather unsatisfactory solution as compromises usually are.

-AA Whelch, Eldred Avenue, Brighton