Dreams of turning the former Budgens supermarket in Helston into a bowling alley look to have been dashed by the "excessive" cost.

Helston Community Interest Company had previously spoken of a vision to transform the dilapidated building in the Trengrouse Way car park into a bowling alley with entertainment space and a cafe with potential to have a form of eatery alongside.

It was also put forward as a possible location for the CIC's ambition to create a small business start-up, where new businesses, or people just starting out with nowhere to develop their ideas, could be based without the need to take on a whole unit with rates and other expenses.

The building has been empty since March 2017, when the supermarket closed after just eight months of trading.

Malcolm Oliver, one of the directors of the CIC, said this week: "It is a shame to see the building empty. It is not the prettiest of buildings but there is scope. However the cost would be an issue.

"Budgens is currently on the market for £400,000 and business rates are excessive. There appears to be little interest in it.

"We did have a survey done but the building is starting to deteriorate. It may be too much to take on at this time as costs would be excessive."

He added at the CIC were now only monitoring what happened to the building at this time.

Property agent Barney Peters, with Scott Burridge Commercial, told the Packet that the building was still for sale, with nothing contracted.

He said: "If there are people interested they are more than welcome to give us a call.

"We're still working on it. It's being talked about behind closed doors to work out what can happen."

He added that full figures were available on application and they were negotiable.

"We're looking to see who would want to buy it and what they can pay for it," he said.

Mr Peters confirmed that there had been enquiries from Helston CIC.

The update on this project was given as part of a wider meeting for residents last Wednesday, at which Mr Oliver was joined by fellow volunteer directors Dave Potter, David Turnbull and Jenny Morris.

At the meeting it was announced that, following the success of the first Discover Helston magazine published in June this year, which had a print run of 15,000 copies and was distributed through Helston and the Lizard Peninsula, a 2020-21 magazine would be printed. It was supported by advertising from local businesses.

The aim was to publish this in mid March for distribution at the start of April, in time for the Easter holidays.

Articles could be contributed and ideas suggested by emailing enquiries.hcic@gmail.com.

A Discover Helston website and social media accounts are due to be launched in January, with the town council giving funding.

Also spoken about was the 'Place Shaping Plan' created by the CIC from previous public consultation meetings and in discussion with Helston Town Council and Cornwall Council.

This includes suggested improvements to Coinagehall Street, including a one -way traffic flow downhill, the development of a Helston to Porthleven cycle trail through Penrose, improvements to Market Square and a community hub in one of the empty shop buildings.

Suggestions were put forward by residents attending and concerns over vacant retail premises, pavements, fuel emissions, car parking and accessibility to car parks, which were all noted by the CIC for future consideration.

Helston CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company with the aim of identifying the current issues affecting Helston and trying to find ways to regenerate the town.