Work on a new Morrisons supermarket will begin next month.

The supermarket chain is taking over the Meridian Centre in Peacehaven at the end of February and work will begin on demolishing the site.

The new supermarket will replace the current Co-op. Morrisons will be at the centre of the new development which will have a library and community facilities.

Lewes District Councillor Chris Collier said in an update to residents that the Co-op would hand over the site to Morrisons on February 28 ahead of planned works.

He added: “At this point the agent appointed by Morrisons will take over the cleaning and security of the site.

“Access to the Peacehaven Town Council offices and East Sussex County Council library facilities will remain open and Morrisons are going to look at ensuring that the back car park entrance is open.

“This will ensure that residents arriving via bus to the library are able to access the site without having to walk right round the building.

“Morrisons will also ensure that the grounds remain lit properly, as I understand this is currently an issue for some residents.”

Cllr Collier said discussions were in progress for bus services to other stores to act as an interim measure until Morrisons is open.

The Co-op closed on January 20 but East Sussex County Council confirmed that the library will stay in its current location until the new building is ready.

Councillor Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member responsible for libraries, said: “We know that there was concern about the provision of library services while the Meridian Centre is developed and we are delighted to have been able to come to an agreement with the site owners which allows the services to continue to be provided from the current library.

“We have also been able to agree terms with Morrisons for a 300sqm purpose-built library building within the new development.”