A TWIN recession-busting boost has been handed to St Helens this week as our town centre fights back against the economic slump.

The Star can reveal soon-to-be launched supermarket chain Asco has confirmed it is to move in to the vacant former Woolworths store on Church Street. It is believed the new store will create more than 70 jobs and could be open by January.

It has been suggested the store will offer an alternative to the big name supermarkets by offering goods from many local suppliers.

The healthy news emerged as the latest survey conducted by St Helens Chamber suggests an ‘aura of confidence’ is growing in the local business community.

The results, released this week, show further improvement, building on the first signs of economic recovery recorded last quarter.

The survey has shown a marked improvement since the first quarter of 2009 for St Helens, especially with employment levels and investment plans – both said to be good indicators of improving economic performance.

Among the uplifting statistics are that service sector confidence for both turnover and profits is in positive balance for the first time since autumn 2008.

Sara Williams, director of enterprise development at St Helens Chamber, welcomed the news but pointed out the borough is still lagging slightly behind national trends in certain areas.

She warned: “The economic outlook is still very fragile and it is crucial that the Government does not place any additional barriers on our hard working local companies. That means resisting the temptation to use business as a ‘cash cow’ to tackle the public debt and a ‘no’ to any more new regulation for the life of the next parliament.”