Months of uncertainty over the future of a Suffolk supermarket are today over, after the Co-op announced it would be buying the former Budgens store in Woodbridge.

Last month, the East of England Co-op told this paper it had nothing to announce about the shop in Woodbridge’s Turban Centre, on Hamblin Road – but bosses yesterday confirmed the deal, subject to contract.

Sainsbury’s had long been expected to move in, having announced plans to take over last August. However, the supermarket giant last month said it was “disappointed” to learn that the owner had entered discussions with another party.

The 7,000 square foot store will be one of the East of England Co-op’s ‘new generation’ supermarkets, stocking local produce, its Deli-to-Go range, beers, wines and spirits. It will also boast an in-store bakery, cash machine, Subway sandwich counter, CollectPlus parcel service and home delivery.

The Co-op already has a store a minute’s walk away in The Thoroughfare, which reopened following refurbishment and the addition of a Subway franchise last November.

The Co-op has also revealed customers will have access to free parking, and that the existing Post Office counter will continue to provide a service from the store.

Roger Grosvenor, joint chief executive for the East of England Co-op, said: “Having been a part of the Woodbridge community for a number of years, we’re delighted to be expanding the services and range we’re able to offer to our customers and members.”

“We’ll be making a significant investment in the store on Hamblin Road, with a period of closure required to allow us to carry out all of the work we need to do the bring the store up to standard. We will, however, endeavour to maintain access to the Post Office and its services.”

The new-look supermarket will be open later this year following extensive refurbishment.

As well as a presence in The Thoroughfare, the East of England Co-op already has Co-op Daily food stores in Hasketon Road and Old Barrack Road, along with a recently opened funeral services branch on Quayside.

Sainsbury’s had previously entered ‘detailed discussions’ ahead of a legal agreement being secured for the store, which has operated under the Nisa retail brand after changing suppliers last year. Before the switch, it traded as Budgens – and will now undergo another overhaul when the Co-op moves in.