PLANS to redevelop the town centre are limited by the private ownership of many parts of the town centre, a report states.

A strategy setting out a vision, objectives and a detailed action plan for the town centre’s development, which will identify sites and development opportunities, is set to be published early this year.

A council report says due to major town centre asset holders having a “very limited investment appetite”, the town centre strategy needs to be “radical” in how it can be rejuvenated.

The report says the strategy, prepared by property consultants CBRE, is likely to:

- recommend reducing the geographical focus of the town centre

- suggest focussing on the canal and re-thinking how the area around Church Square functions

- promote the need to improve the town centre in terms of leisure, arts and culture, as well as more family-orientated food and drink

- recommend linking the development of the town centre to the wider borough

- recognise that the town suffers competition with Liverpool, Manchester, the Trafford Centre and other centres like Wigan and Warrington

- recognise that shopping is increasingly a destination activity or done for convenience, and increasingly online

- increasing events in the main squares

The report, written by St Helens Council chief executive Mike Palin, states: “It is apparent that the rejuvenation of St Helens town centre is a key need for the borough over the coming years. The town centre has witnessed little new investment, is perceived by residents and visitors to be of poor quality and has also been regarded by some as a focal point for some anti-social behaviour.”

It adds: “Much of the town centre is under private sector ownership which limits the scope for intervention by the council. In particular, both Church Square Shopping Centre and the Hardshaw Centre represent a considerable part of the town centre as a whole, with both privately owned. The council has previously had dialogue with major asset holders, who have a very limited investment appetite.”

He adds the town centre strategy needs to be “radical”.

Meanwhile, Star readers have expressed concerns over the lack of visible investment in the town centre and over the closures of big name shops such as WHSmith, Burtons and Tyrers over recent years. 


And worries that neighbouring towns are leaving St Helens behind have also been voiced.


Warrington has recently received planning permission for a £107m town centre regeneration project.

After completion in 2019, a development called Time Square will comprise of a cinema, a 42,000 square foot market hall, restaurants, council offices, retail units and a public square.

Meanwhile, Kirkby has also seen £33m plans set out to redevelop its town centre.


St Helens Council’s cabinet member for growth, councillor John Fulham, said: “We are acutely aware of residents’ concerns about the town centre, and we share them. 


He added: “The strategy will focus on the need to have an alternative, leisure and family centred offer within the town centre, building on our existing assets and cultural offer in a way that will bring more people into town.”