The Old Market, Hove

The Old Market stands in Hove, just where Brighton and Hove meet, as a Grade II listed building first raised in 1825. It began life as a covered market for meat, fish and vegetables, serving the new Brunswick estate before the two towns grew together. Over the years it has been a riding academy, a warehouse, and even an arts centre that struggled in the 1980s. In 1998 a £4 million lottery grant allowed major repairs and a return to community use. In 2010 new owners transformed it again, reopening in 2011 as TOM – The Old Market. Since then the venue has become a leading independent mixed-arts space. Major musicians such as Fatboy Slim, Sam Smith and Paul Weller have played its stage. Comedians including Ricky Gervais and Nish Kumar have appeared in the same rooms. Theatre companies like 1927 and Gecko bring productions, while bespoke events range from YouTuber sketch shows to immersive gigs with 360° digital projections. Brighton Fringe, Brighton Festival and The Great Escape Festival all use the building during May. Inside, the space hosts film clubs, multi-genre seasons like Reigning Women, and programmes that mentor emerging artists. The building’s high ceilings and original brickwork frame everything from gigs to workshops. Outside, the area around the Old Market links to Brunswick’s seafront and Hove’s wider streets. The mix of historic fabric and contemporary culture makes it a place where different arts meet in one setting.