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Supermarket switches to town centre
Somerfield in Hampden Park is to close next month - but the company is opening a new store in Eastbourne's town centre.
The store in Brassey Avenue, which is well used by many residents in the area, will shut its doors on April 19.
The new Somerfield store will open in the former Music Zone premised in Cornfield Road, in around four weeks.
Somerfield is involved in consultation with 45 employees at Hampden Park whose jobs will go when the store closes.
But it is hoped some may be offered new positions in the new Cornfield Road store.
The changes are a result of Somerfield's strategy to develop more smaller 'convenience stores' over the next two years.
Hampden Park ward councillor and Eastbourne's mayor, Mary Pooley, has been a customer of the Somerfield in Hampden Park and said she uses it to 'pop into' to buy essentials.
Cllr Pooley added, "I was very sad to hear this news and the effect it will have on the staff. I think it is a very sad day for Hampden Park as we need the store there."
The new store in Cornfield Road will occupy premises that have stood empty since Music Zone shut up shop more than a year ago.
The company says it will offer a range of fresh foods, including an in-store bakery, hot food to go, and a variety of sandwiches and snacks, hot coffee, newspapers, magazines and home entertainment.
A notice currently in the window also indicates that Somerfield is seeking a licence to sell alcohol from 6am until midnight.
A spokesperson for Somerfield said, "We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and customers for their support at the Hampden Park store over the years."
The premises in Hampden Park have previously housed both Tesco and Safeway.
There is expected to be strong local pressure to ensure the premises continue in the same use.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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