Supermarkets near Selsey
Grocery shopping options for residents
Selsey does not have a large supermarket within the town itself. The main in-town grocery option is the Co-op on the High Street, which stocks a reasonable range of everyday items, fresh food, household essentials and alcohol. For residents who need a convenience shop within walking distance, the Co-op and the smaller convenience stores on the High Street provide the basics.
For a full weekly shop, most Selsey residents drive to Chichester, eight miles to the north. Chichester has a Sainsbury's, a Tesco, a Waitrose and a Lidl, all within the city and its immediate surroundings. The range and pricing across these four stores covers most shopping preferences, from budget to premium. The drive takes around twenty minutes outside of peak hours, though the B2145 can be slow during busy periods, particularly on summer weekends when holiday traffic adds to the volume.
The absence of a large supermarket in Selsey is a consequence of the town's size and its single-road access. The population of approximately 10,500 is sufficient to support a convenience store but not a full-sized supermarket. The holiday parks add seasonal demand, but the year-round trade is not enough to justify a major retail investment. This means that residents accept the drive to Chichester as part of the routine of living in Selsey.
Online grocery delivery has become increasingly important for Selsey residents, particularly for those who are elderly or who do not drive. Tesco, Sainsbury's and other major retailers deliver to PO20 postcodes, and the delivery vans are a regular sight on the B2145. Click-and-collect options are available at the Chichester stores for those who prefer to pick up a pre-ordered shop on the way home.
The High Street butcher, the fresh seafood from East Beach and the local bakery provide an alternative to supermarket shopping for those who value quality and provenance over convenience. A combination of local shops for fresh produce and a periodic supermarket trip to Chichester is the pattern that many Selsey households follow.
The Co-op's position in the town centre means that it serves a social function beyond simply selling groceries. It is a place where people meet, exchange news and maintain the connections that are important in a small community.