Helston to Transform Derelict Supermarket into Community Hub with £2.6m Funding

In a significant development for the town of Helston, Cornwall, a substantial funding package totalling £2.6 million has been secured to transform the long-derelict Budgens supermarket into a vibrant community hub. This funding effort marks a collaboration between local residents, the South Kerrier Alliance CIC (SKA), and Cornwall Council, underlining a community-driven approach to revitalising the town centre.

The project, benefiting from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme and the Town Centre Revitalisation Fund, aims to refurbish the building to host a variety of community-based services and activities. With the exterior and upper floor set for immediate refurbishment, the plan outlines a completion target of March 2025. This initiative underscores a significant investment in Helston’s future, addressing its need for economic diversification and community engagement.

Cornwall Council has allocated £2,131,806 from its Good Growth Programme, funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with an additional £500,000 sourced from the Council’s Town Centre Revitalisation Fund. These funds are part of a broader effort to stimulate local economies and support community projects across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, emphasising green and inclusive growth.

The transformation of the Budgens site, which has sat unused since 2017, into a community hub is seen as a critical step in reversing the trend of increasing shop vacancies and economic vulnerability in Helston. The town, which has not previously benefited from significant regeneration investment, has faced challenges, including a high commercial property void rate and a lack of economic diversity. The project aims to attract more visitors to the town centre, provide essential services, and offer spaces for activities catering to all age groups, especially young people.

David Turnbull, Director of SKA, expressed gratitude for the extensive community effort and support from Cornwall Council that made securing the funding possible. He emphasised the project’s potential to meet the needs of Helston’s residents and boost town centre footfall.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy, highlighted the community’s role in achieving this milestone and the council’s commitment to supporting their vision for a more vibrant and inclusive Helston.

The initiative also includes plans to develop the lower floor for further community use, with ongoing negotiations to confirm services and tenants. This development represents a significant step forward for Helston, aiming to not only refurbish a neglected site but also to foster a sense of pride and opportunity within the community.

As work begins on this ambitious project, Helston looks forward to the positive impact it will have on the town’s social and economic fabric, offering a beacon of community-led regeneration in Cornwall.