New future confirmed for derelict Budgens in Helston

It has been revealed today (Tuesday) that the South Kerrier Alliance CIC (SKA) has been successful in raising £2.6 million to acquire the building and refurbish the exterior and upper floor.

Work will begin immediately with a target completion date of March 2025.

At this stage no confirmation has been given about the services and tenants that will be based in the building, with negotiations said to be still "underway." They will be confirmed in due course once agreements are in place.

However, it has been confirmed that the ground floor of the building will include a space for community-based services and activities, further details of which will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

Cornwall Council is providing £2,131,806 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which it manages and is funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and a further £500,000 from Cornwall Council’s Town Centre Revitalisation Fund.

SKA, who built and operate The Old Cattle Market building and manage Coronation Park, is leading the project.

Proposals going forward build on initial work done by Helston CIC and the plans developed through the Helston Place Shaping Board in 2022, when the Helston missed out by a whisker its bid for £17 million of Levelling Up cash to transform the town centre and its future.

Budgens has been falling into increasing disrepair (Image: NQ)

David Turnbull, director of SKA, said: “We were determined to find a way to make this building work for everyone in Helston and provide the essential services our town deserves, encouraging people to use our town centre.

“It has taken a huge amount of effort to reach this stage and we’re grateful for the work done by the Helston Place Shaping Team and invaluable support from our Cornwall Councillors Guy Foreman and Mike Thomas, the help and assistance from many Cornwall Council Officers and Cabinet Members and continuing support from Helston Town Council.”

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Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy, said: “Getting to this stage reflects years of hard work by the community working alongside Cornwall Council officers and I’m delighted the necessary funding has been secured.

“Residents know best what their community needs, and these two significant funding awards will help them deliver a new facility that will make a real difference. We are there to support them in their ambitions to level up their community and provide the facilities that they have said they want and need.”

The Good Growth Programme has previously announced a £134,550 investment in the enhancement of Coronation Park in the town.

The supermarket was built in 1985 and operated initially under the Gateway brand before spells as a Somerfield, Coop and latterly Budgens retail outlet. Closed in 2017 it has proven difficult to find a viable use for the space and its worsening dilapidation has attracted increasing anger amongst Helston’s residents.

Fencing has gone up around the building (Image: NQ)

SKA is currently working with several other community groups to raise further funding to refurbish the lower floor of the building to provide facilities for young people and families. This work will be the subject of an upcoming public consultation once the refurbishment of the upper floor is underway.

Tim Grattan-Kane of Helston Town Council, who has also been heavily involved in the project, said: “People will be aware that organisations such as SKA, Helston CIC and the Town Council amongst many others have made a huge effort over recent years to attract funding to Helston. At last we are seeing some success and we look forward to implementing this and hopefully further projects in the future.”

SKA will be responsible for the construction works and ongoing management of the building once complete. A registered Community Interest Company established in 2008, SKA is a Not-For-Profit organisation which will ensure that any surplus from running the building will be invested back into its operation.