THE proposed redevelopment of St Helens must be justified as a meaningful way of regenerating this area post heavy industry.


This town in general has been in decline for the last 20 plus years and this has needed addressing for a long time.


The world unfortunately has moved on from the labour intensive industries, such as glass and coal, that once were a staple of this and other towns of the area.


Now the challenge for this council is to attract businesses into the borough by one means or another, to provide meaningful employment for the citizens of St Helens, many of whom are low to semi-skilled due to the lack of opportunity for higher skilled employment.


We, I doubt, are no longer going to be able to attract multi national companies but should still be able to attract some high end blue chip companies for our children’s employment.


The problem is this Nimby type backlash to proposed redevelopment of this town.


I personally want a better future for my children and that means meaningful employment not stacking shelves at the supermarket or flipping burgers at the greasy spoon. We need high end manufacturing, logistics and engineering type employment that gives people options in life.


Come on the people of St Helens.

Let’s get behind this opportunity that the council are trying to present us. 


If it means some short term disruption I for one am prepared to put up with that, for a better future for my 20 something son and daughter and their generation because that’s the generation that matters, not mine or my parents’.


I look at all the protest to Florida Farm development and I despair. This is providing jobs for our children and the opportunities that this will present.


Ste Metcalfe, via email