THERE was some brighter news for St Helens town centre this week after two new developments secured the green light from council planners.

Coffee giant Costa has been given permission to open a cafe at Church Street’s former Coverdales soft furnishing stores which slid into administration in January.

And Connoisseur Ales has been granted approval to set up a micro-brewery in the basement of Wolverhampton House, Church Street, St Helens.

The venture has the support of the neighbouring Rendezvous pub, which intends to buy from the brewery.