Morrisons Unveils Bold Redevelopment Plans for Peacehaven’s Meridian Centre
Morrisons sparked a buzz in Peacehaven last weekend with a public exhibition showcasing its ambitious redevelopment plans for the Meridian Centre. Hundreds of locals turned out on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to get a first look and share their thoughts.
Residents Voice Concerns Amid Excitement
While most residents are thrilled to finally see a boost to the town’s lacklustre shopping scene, some raised worries. The planned new library, capped at 300m² by East Sussex County Council (ESCC), felt too small for many.
“The library won’t be big enough,” said several attendees. Community groups are already gearing up to push ESCC to reconsider.
Longstanding businesses are also nervous. Ali and Luke from the Greetings Card Shop, Peacehaven’s oldest leaseholder with 18 years at the Meridian Centre, fear they may have to shut for up to two years during construction. They also wonder if they’ll afford rents on smaller units when the project wraps up.
Major Upgrade Includes Bigger Supermarket and New Amenities
The current Meridian Centre has served Peacehaven for four decades but is now outdated. Since snapping up the site in February, Morrisons plans a vibrant new town hub featuring retail, commercial, and community spaces.
- A brand-new Morrisons superstore with 27,000 sq ft of floor space—50% larger than the current local Co-op.
- Morrisons’ popular ‘Market Street’ offering specialist butchers, bakers, and fishmongers.
- Flexible retail units for a range of businesses.
- A purpose-built replacement library run by ESCC.
- Integration of the Community House into the new scheme.
The development will also boast a public square for markets and events, expansive landscaping, and a 309-space car park with disabled bays, parent & child spaces, click & collect, and electric charging points.
Keeping Peacehaven Connected During Building Works
Morrisons is exploring ways to maintain supermarket access while construction is underway. Options like bus services and home delivery are on the table, with more news due soon.
Overall, locals are optimistic about fresh jobs and shopping choices coming to Peacehaven after years of limited options. Morrisons’ plans could put the town centre firmly back on the map.
