Open for community uses at Helston’s old Budgens supermarket

As previously reported by the Packet, the South Kerrier Alliance CIC (SKA) has been granted £2.6 million to acquire the building in the Trengrouse Way car park, and lease negotiations are ongoing with potential tenants for the upper ground floor level (the former shop floor).

Income from this will then help support the development and running costs of the lower ground floor level, to the right of the main Trengrouse Way car park entrance - previously used for storing stock for the supermarket.

It is this section that will be redeveloped for community uses – and which is open to the public to look around until 5pm today (Saturday).

Harriet has fun skating (Image: NQ staff)

Inside are a range of activities taking place, which give ideas of possible uses in the future – from skating and skateboarding to parkour skills and a graffiti wall.

Youngsters who fill in a card saying what they would like to see happen there get a free slice of pizza from the Smashed Tomato van - and while previous consultation events have indicated that youth facilities are what Helston particularly needs, anyone is able to go along to give their ideas.

Free pizza from the Smashed Tomato van (Image: NQ staff)

Playwright Sarah Connors, from The Writers’ Block, is also there gathering labels with people’s ideas and inspirations, which she will use to write a poem afterwards called ‘Helston – Our Hopes and Dreams’.

Previous ideas raised in sessions with schools and youth groups have included a graffiti room, music practice room and recording studio.

Sarah Connors from The Writers' Block will be writing a poem using the ideas (Image: NQ staff)

Ideas suggested today have ranged from a trampoline park and make up skills area to a Tai Chi club, dog training skills and ‘chat club’ to support positive mental health.

More than 120 people attended the drop-in event in the first hour alone, with many staying to take part in the activities and make an afternoon of it.

Angus Capel from UPG Teaching shows parkour skills (Image: NQ staff)

Dave Turnbull, director of SKA, told the Packet: "It's been an amazing turnout. We've done consultations in the past, but it's really good to get the ideas of the young people and putting on activities in here gives a chance to see what could really happen."

He thanked all the helpers from various community groups in the town who had made the afternoon possible to run. 

The event runs until 5pm today and is open to all.

There is no charge for any of the activities. 

Rosie on her skateboard (Image: NQ staff)

Once firm ideas are in place, funding can then be applied for to pay for the different projects – although this can be done in stages, and support from local businesses could help see results even more quickly.

Warwick and Edith draw on one of the graffiti walls (Image: NQ staff)

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