Skating and soft play in Helston Budgens plan: consultation dates, times

It was revealed back in March that Helston Community Interest Company (CIC) had been working for many months to try to secure the use of the old supermarket in the Trengrouse Way car park, which used to be operated by Gateway, then Somerfied, Co-op and finally Budgens, before becoming empty in March 2017.

Since then the building ha been falling into increasing disrepair, but now the CIC has an exclusivity agreement with Cornwall Council, signed in March, which agrees a price and gives the group six months to complete.

Helston CIC is now ready to share the ideas for the upstairs level of the building, which have come from various consultations with community groups and workshops with children, including at Helston Community College.

How a roller skating rink could look in Helston's empty Budgens building Picture: Asia Grzybowska, Smallwood Architects

There are also discussions underway with two organisations about the use of the downstairs part of the building, which are not ready to be announced yet but will be in the future.

However, designs have now been drawn up for the upstairs, which include a large multi-use games area, that would include a wall space for climbing or bouldering and occasional event games such as archery, along with a large central area that would be suitable for skating – roller disco, ice skating or surf-skating, possibly seasonal – as well as markets or exhibitions on specific days, and events or performances.

The central area could also be used for events Picture: Asia Grzybowska, Smallwood Architects

Also included in the designs are a children's soft play area, community cafe with balcony – which could also incorporate a food hub or community larder – a youth cafe with training kitchen, and a community information point with visitor information and/or a 'one stop shop' service.

Outside there is a proposal for a small bus station, taxi rank, cycle parking and disability vehicle parking.

A community cafe with 'vertical garden' is proposed Picture: Asia Grzybowska, Smallwood Architects

Last week it was confirmed that the series of projects being planned in Helston, of which the old Budgens building is one, was in the running to potentially benefit from the first tranche of Levelling Up Funding (LUF) in Cornwall.

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It has already received £100,000 Town Vitality funding to get draw up the projects to this stage.

There could be a new terrace for outdoor eating Picture: Asia Grzybowska, Smallwood Architects

There will now be two public consultation dates this month, giving people in the town a chance to say what they think about this and a series of other projects in the town, looking to:

• Refurbish Market Place, Drill Hall Yard and Museum of Cornish Life ope into an area of outdoor events, markets and community activities, and create a physical link from the must to CAST and Wendron Street car park;

• Develop the potential of empty and under-used buildings, such as the old Co-op supermarket, to provide additional community facilities in the town centre;

• Improve transport, especially for cycling, walking and public transport in and around the town;

• Refurbish the main streets, restoring the paths and kennels making the town centre more attractive and less traffic dominant.

The sessions will take place between 10am and 8pm on Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26, in the Guildhall at the top of Coinagehall Street.

A proposed design for the layout of the upstairs of the building

David Turnbull, a director of Helston CIC, said: "If we can provide more reasons for people to come to Helston we will improve the vibrancy of the town.

"The team have been trying to secure the use of a number of empty premises in the town – for living space, workspace and community use. One building which is now progressing to the stage of detail design and costing, is the old Coop/Budgens supermarket.

"This building and the surrounding area are in desperate need of investment but could provide a fantastic amenity for Helston. And provide another good reason for people to use the town centre."

The team is working closely with Cornwall Council, Helston Town Council and a number of local community groups on the plans.

Mr Turnbull added that a key aspect of the proposals is to ensure the building is sustainable both economically and environmentally, and renewable energy sources such as solar panels and ensuring the building includes green spaces, both inside and outside, are being considered.