Southern Co-operatives Ltd is to operate a new supermarket on the ground floor of Bramber House, which is being refurbished.

Bids to run the convenience food store were invited in November 2010. The Co-op won against several competitors that submitted a tender and was selected from a final shortlist of three.

Charles Dudley, Director of Residential, Sport and Trading Services, said: "The Co-op was the best fit with the tender specification," which covered a number of issues including potential employment opportunities for Sussex students.

The new, large supermarket will open this summer in the 3,500 sq ft space currently occupied by the Students' Union newsagent, McColl's supermarket, post office, Baguette Express and toilets.

Although McColl's is due to close on 1 April, the other facilities (newsagent, post office, Baguette Express and toilets) will remain in operation until work starts in the summer term to fit out the new store. The Union Store in York House, which sells groceries, will continue to trade until the new supermarket opens.

The groceries - including Fairtrade products, local produce and other fresh food - on sale in the new Co-op will complement the revamped café and restaurant facilities on the ground and first floors of Bramber House.

Other items on sale in the Co-op will include newspapers and magazines, and the new store will contain a post office.

The store's minimum opening hours in term time will be 7am-10pm from Mondays-Saturdays and 8am-10pm on Sundays. During vacations it will be open at least 8am-9pm from Mondays-Saturdays and 8.30am-9pm on Sundays.

Charles Dudley thanked McColl's for the retail service they have provided to the University community and said: "It has always been part of the plan for Bramber House to have a larger supermarket at the south end of the building.

"We're looking forward to having a high-quality supermarket to complement the improved catering facilities that will be opening this summer."

Steve Tremlett, Head of Retail Business Development at Southern Co-operatives, said: "We are delighted to be the University's preferred partner for the new Bramber House shop, following a rigorous selection process in which we were supported by the knowledge and experience of the Students' Union trading team.

"We're now starting on the detailed design and planning stage to create a community supermarket that will meet the needs of all campus users and visitors.

"We'll be talking to the University and the Students' Union about how we staff the store, and we're very keen to maximise every opportunity to provide employment and promote personal development among the student population."