Budget supermarket Budgens opened in Helston this morning just a week after its predecessor shut down.

The chain has taken over the store at the Trengrouse Way car park from Co-op, which closed its doors last Saturday.

An official opening ceremony took place at 9am today, with mayor Gillian Geer cutting a ribbon to mark its arrival in the town.

Many of the staff remain the same from when it operated as Co-op and were there at the launch.

Store manager Simon Williams told the Packet: “I think it will be good for customers. There’s a lot more of a non-food range and pound lines such as ‘happy shopper’ where items are two for a pound.”

In addition to the grocery and household items the store also has budget lines of toys, electrical accessories, DIY goods and homeware.

Opening times will be 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and – contrary to the pre-printed sign outside – the store has decided to keep Co-op’s Sunday opening hours for the foreseeable future, of 11am to 5pm.

The store is now owned by the Food Retailer Group Limited, part of retail investor Hilco’s group.