SHOPPERS are expected to begin queuing from 6am outside some St Helens stores on Black Friday to ensure they get their hands on the best deals.

In a bid to make St Helens town centre as accessible as possible, St Helens Council will also be opening council owned car parks free of charge from 5.30am.

This includes St Mary’s, Chalon Way and Birchley Street car parks.

Retailers hope that their united front will pull shoppers into St Helens, rather than the neighbouring cities.

Speaking ahead of the event, St Helens Council Leader, Barrie Grunewald, said: “This is planned to be one of the biggest, if not, the biggest sales day in modern British retail history. Any other independent or national retailers who want to part in the St Helens Black Friday event are encouraged to do so."

Michael Bracken, store manager of BHS, in Church Square added: “The town centre wide Black Friday event has been in the planning for the last few months, and the support from St Helens Council, along with the management and fellow tenants at Church Square and Hardshaw, as well as Tyrers has been amazing.

"The whole town centre is well and truly ready to make this the best ever event for our customers and it’s not too late for any other retailers to join us.”

The following retailers will be opening their doors at 6am to allow customers to shop their Black Friday deals prior to going to work.

Those opening early in the day include: British Home Stores, Argos, Boots, Tyrers Department Store, B&M Bargains, Fat Face, Game, H Samuel, Clarks Shoes, Claire’s, Roman, Ryman, Superdrug, The Fragrance Shop.

Many more retailers will be taking part in Black Friday, opening later in the morning, including Marks & Spencer, Topshop, OD’s – plus many more.

For the most up to date lists including what offers will be available, as well as individual store opening times, visit Churchsquaresthelens.co.uk -or 'like' What's on in St Helens on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whatsoninsthelens/ or follow

TO help celebrate Small Business Saturday in St Helens on Saturday, December 5 there will be a number of events taking place in the town centre which will help boost local businesses, including St Mary’s Market’s Christmas lights switch on, while over in Church Square, hundreds are expected to don Father Christmas outfits and take part in the hugely popular Santa Dash (organised by the Steve Prescott Foundation and Willowbrook Hospice) – or why not head over to the Masonic Hall where you can grab yourself a crafty bargain at a vintage arts and crafts fair?