The University will soon be welcoming some new retail services into the Student Centre’s retail arches.

All four operators are passionate about trading at Sussex and have been granted a lease following their response to an expression of interest exercise that was run independently through Brighton based Oakley Commercial.

Students have been at the heart of the selection process for the retail arch space tenants and the four retailers that have now been selected have been deliberately chosen to reflect the needs and wants expressed by students. The retailers are:

The much-loved Brighton international food shop, Taj the Grocer will have a presence on campus. Taj provides an extensive range of fresh and international foods from nearly every part of the world.  Taj will be actively employing students to work at their campus store.

The next tenant is Liberty Glasses, a social enterprise eye care company that offers affordable prescription glasses and eye tests.  What makes them unique is their commitment to training prisoners to develop meaningful careers once they are released. Its founder Tanjit Dosanjh, OBE explained why they chose to set up at Sussex:

‘We chose UoS as a launchpad for our social enterprise because of its reputation of being a liberal and progressive thinking place.  We want our customers to know that if they buy their spectacles from us they will be actively helping us to train prisoners in spectacle making skills.’

The University Pharmacy will be moving to an arch from its existing premises on campus, where it will continue to offer a full pharmacy service to students and staff but in a more convenient location, with two new consultation rooms.  Students and staff can expect to get the same supportive service they’re used to by the Pharmacy, but in a larger premise.

Finally, the Student’s Union, USSU will be opening an exciting brand new venture in one of the arches. Tareq Khalil, USSU Director of Operations said, ‘We’re very excited to announce the opening of ‘Union’, our new stand-alone store selling Sussex branded clothing, accessories and gifts. This purpose-built store will enable us to provide greater customer service and a fantastic range of products in a more central campus location. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to our new store.

‘As Union is a Students’ Union run outlet, all profits will be reinvested back into student services for you right here on campus!’

Helen Power Hosking, Head of Commercial Services said:

‘We’re really excited to be welcoming these fantastic businesses to the retail arches. Offering new or expanded services on campus, we’re confident they will be popular with students and staff alike.

‘You can tell from the comments by the tenants just how excited they are about taking up their places in the arches. This latest phase in the development of the purpose-built Student Centre will also provide valuable employment opportunities for students. I encourage everyone to come and meet our new retailers when the arches start to open from the end of April onwards.

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