THE owners of a traditional cafe have grown concerned about the decline of its neighbouring market - although they are not convinced by the multi-million pounds that propose to transform it.

Opening on Stanley Street in 1986, the Forum Cafe was initially the only cafe in the vicinity of Earlestown's historic market and it massively reaped the rewards of its busy trade.

However, as trade has declined at the market and the wider town centre, businesses like the Forum have grown concerned as they massively depend on the success and footfall of the market.

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St Helens Star: Brenda launched the Forum cafe in 1986Brenda launched the Forum cafe in 1986 (Image: St Helens Star)
Brenda, the Forum's owner who preferred to only give her first name, said: "We opened here 38 years ago and were the only cafe here at the time.

"The market used to bring so many people to the town and we were busy from 8am right until 5pm on market days.

"Now the traders usually pack up about 2pm and if there is bad weather, then we hardly get any trade.

"We are lucky that we have paid the mortgage off because I don't think we would be here if we had to pay rent [on top of declining trade]".

St Helens Star: The cafe looks out onto Earlestown market, which has seen trade decline in recent yearsThe cafe looks out onto Earlestown market, which has seen trade decline in recent years (Image: St Helens Star)
Directly facing Earlestown's market square, the Forum is a small but cosy cafe that offers traditional meals such as English breakfasts, beans on toast, and fish and chips.

As I visit on a Friday morning, its regulars are mainly those who have come to visit the market and have nipped in for a sit down and a hot drink or a bite to eat.

So although that market trade has declined over the decades, Brenda admitted that if it wasn't for the Friday and Saturday market, the business would struggle to survive.

St Helens Star: Forum is a small and cosy cafe in EarlestownForum is a small and cosy cafe in Earlestown (Image: St Helens Star)
Aware of the declining footfall at the market and the wider town centre, St Helens Council has submitted £28m plans to transform Earlestown's market square, revamp the town hall, and improve the town's railway station.

Several traders told the Star that they are not convinced by the plans to revamp the market, and many have a strong objection to the proposed vehicle restrictions that may come.

Although the multi-million-pound plans could be a lifeline for traders and business owners who are desperate for investment, Brenda was similarly apprehensive and was not convinced that they will bring back the same level of trade that the market has enjoyed in times gone by