ONE of the town's most popular restaurants has closed its doors after more than 50 years of trading to mark the "end of an era".

The Charcoal Grill on Claughton Street has been a constant feature of the town centre, aside from a brief closure in 2002, since it originally launched in 1966.

A family-run business, the restaurant was renowned for its traditional English dishes and beef steaks and has been a favourite particularly among the town's older generations.

The closure was confirmed, with a notice placed outside the restaurant from general manager Graham Ault announcing that it had closed its doors on Thursday last week (June 28).

In the note, Graham said: "It is with sincere regret that The Charcoal Grill will close its doors for business on Thursday, June 28.

"The sad decision to close the business is due to a decline in customer numbers over the years, as well as a difficult trading environment with year on cost increases that could not be sustained.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their valued support over the many years The Charcoal Grill has been operating in St Helens.

"We wish all our customers good health and happiness for the future".

Marion Valentine, who had worked at the restaurant since 1976, expressed sadness at the closure.

"It is a real end of an era, everybody knows the Charcoal," she said.

"It was opened in 1966 and there are people who have been there since it opened, it's been like part of your family we've been going that long.

"It's a shame, we wanted to say goodbye and say that we were sorry to the regulars."

Marion, 63, says there have been many fond memories from over the decades.

"There's been lots of people who have been in over the years, comedians and actors and when the theatre was on they would come in.

"We've had lots of them. I remember Iain Cuthbertson coming and snooker player Stephen Hendry and Ken Dodd."

Marion, from Haresfinch, added: "We lost a lot when Beechams and Pilks went and it survived, but due to the times he has had to let it go, it broke his heart. There was about 18 of us at the end.

"We have had all sorts of customers, there was a lady who was 92 and some came from all over from Wigan and somebody travelled from Manchester once a month.

"It is just sad really."