GP practice opens in former supermarket

The health practice has opened inside a refurbished supermarket building that was derelict for seven years

A new health and wellbeing centre has opened inside a refurbished supermarket building that had been derelict for seven years.

The building now houses Cober Valley Health in Helston, a GP practice which includes 19 consulting and treatment rooms and wellbeing rooms.

There will be health and wellbeing coaches, including from mental health charity Pentreath, yoga classes and a community choir on site.

Dr James Tait, GP partner and lead GP for the building project said: "I think it's really important to consider... a prevention strategy rather than treating the illness once it's arrived".

Kerrier Male Voice Choir rehearses in the building

On the lower floor there will be a hub including a climbing and bouldering wall, a music and dance space and a community café.

Kerrier Male Voice Choir also rehearses in the building.

Janette Eathorne, musical director of Kerrier Male Voice Choir, said: "This building is important to us... the men appreciate the car park right outside and they appreciate the nice room that we sing in.

"We've got all the facilities that we need - it makes for a lovely sound in here and it gives us all a lovely feeling of comradeship and belonging to the town of Helston."

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (NCIOS) said the project, part funded through Cornwall Council's Good Growth Programme and the Town Centre Revitalisation Fund, had aimed, where possible, to use locally sourced materials.

The building has achieved a net carbon zero rating, using heat pumps, thermal insulation and solar energy.

'Anybody can come in'

Accessibility and inclusion were prioritised throughout the design, NCIOS said.

It said there had been specialist input from iSightCornwall, Access Cornwall and the Brandon Trust which helped shape features such as level access, signage and artwork.

Kate Stuart, a patient at the surgery, said: "It's lovely that a building that was previously unused has been made very functional and has given us this lovely bright, light space to come to."