A LIBRARY in a shopping centre will remain open following the sale of the centre to supermarket chain Morrisons.

The chain has given assurances that the Meridian Shopping Centre in Peacehaven will be "appropriately managed and maintained" over the next two years.

There were previous plans by the Co-op to redevelop the Meridian and East Sussex County Council said the library could move to the Joff Centre as a temporary alternative location.

But plans to relocate have been put on hold and Peacehaven Library will remain in the Meridian Shopping Centre after confirmation that it will remain operational until early 2024.

The council’s lead member Councillor Claire Dowling said: “Given the very short notice period on our lease and limited options for a temporary library in the town, it was important that we acted quickly to ensure the continuation of high-quality library provision in Peacehaven.

“Officers worked extremely hard to find a suitable alternative temporary home for the library and obtained planning permission to allow a change of use of the Joff Centre.

“With new proposals currently being developed, officers have had positive initial discussions with Morrisons about the inclusion of a new permanent site for the library in their proposals that would be leased to the county council.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the new owner of the site as they develop their plans and seek planning permission for redevelopment of the Meridian Centre, and we will be seeking to ensure that these include a library.”