I am writing to express my absolute outrage at recent action by Brighton and Hove Council with regards to the West Pier market.

How can the council justify only giving 24 hours' notice of closure, thus rendering almost 30 or 40 people instantly jobless?

Even worse, some people are now in debt and jobless and left with hundreds of pounds worth of stock that now cannot be sold.

Is this any way to treat decent people whose only crime has been to act upon their business acumen and initiative, and who, for years, have been acting in complete good faith as regards the law and the market? I think not.

Well done Brighton and Hove Council. You have not only robbed Brighton and Hove of a flourishing and attractive market that has long been established as a tourist attraction, but you have added at least a few dozen more to the dole queues.

Ultimately the market is a vibrant and interesting place to stroll past on a Sunday. Without it the West Pier will seem bleaker and greyer than it already does.

This is a great shame and will cause unnecessary anger and trouble.

-Name and address supplied