Helston's main post office is to become a Londis convenience store in a major six-figure sum revamp. The Packet can this week reveal plans for the Coinagehall Street outlet, which include extended opening hours and additional facilities.

When operational it will bring the only store of its type into the centre of town for the first time since two closed down more than 20 years ago, leaving the town devoid of small food stores.

Owner and sub postmaster Dave Gilbert told the Packet: "We decided to revamp the post office and thought it would be a good time to reopen the retail side as well. We looked at various options and Londis, we felt, was the best package for us and the consumer."

He added that the lower end of the town was completely lacking in convenience facilities.

"There's nothing for the consumer in that end of town. There's the Spar at the top and a Threshers, alcohol only, in the middle - there isn't really a convenience store to serve the bottom half of town," he said.

The changes will mean major redevelopment to the inside of the store, which currently provides comprehensive postal services but limited retail goods.

Mr Gilbert explained: "The post office will now be on the left, across the back wall. The back office room will move back, so it will become smaller, giving us more retail area. The retail counter will stay where it is but turn into a two position Londis-style counter, with a one-position 'combi-till' as well."

There will be two open plan tills and two "fortress" secure tills on the post office side, with the "combi-till" on the retail side catering for both retail and post office use. The store will remain open until 10pm - whereas it currently shuts at 5.30pm - and limited post office services, such as buying stamps and mobile phone top up, will be available outside of the normal post office hours.

A wide range of grocery-type goods, including an off-licence, will also be on offer and around eight or nine extra jobs are likely to be created from the changes, including a new managerial post.

For full story see Helston Packet