EAMONN McManus, the Saints chairman, is to head a new drive by business leaders and key local organisations to attract more investment and jobs to the borough.


Mr McManus, who will chair a newly formed Economy Board for St Helens, will host the launch with a number of speakers and more than 100 invited guests next week.


The campaign, at a time when critical decisions are being made about the town’s future development, will see St Helens Council work in collaboration with business groups to drive growth.


Stakeholders have helped identify what makes St Helens competitive and different to other places – and aim to present a “new story that every organisation and individual across the area can tell and be part of”. 


It is hoped the collective approach to “sell and tell” the St Helens story will help people “appreciate and focus on what makes it great and highlight what will be important for its economic future”.


There will be an emphasis on ensuring positive news and developments are promoted in an attempt to reverse negative attitudes that have been identified in the borough.


Businesses, major organisations and leading figures will work together to deliver a consistent message about St Helens to present a more confident and consistent message.


Mr McManus, who has considerable experience in the banking world, said: “I am very much looking forward to taking part in the launch of St Helens Story. 


“This initiative provides an excellent opportunity to bring businesses, organisations and leading local people together to get the message out that St Helens is open for business.”


Meanwhile, Council Leader Barrie Grunewald, who was due to attend his first cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday) where strategies to boost the economy and town centre were under discussion, said: “This initiative will shout about what we’ve all known for a long time, that St Helens is a great place to be. The best place to be.


“The St Helens Story will help us to put the borough on the national and global map, helping to bring investment and jobs into the area.


“We must, together with all our partners, rekindle the ambition that made this borough a pioneer in so many ways, and create the right conditions and environment to help it prosper in the future.”


The campaign, to be launched at Saints’ £30m stadium next Tuesday, comes as many Star readers continue to call for improvements in the borough’s fortunes, particularly the town centre.


A major theme of the vision, which will be supported by a network of ambassadors, will be the theme of the town moving from “industry to ingenuity”. 


Strategic reports by St Helens Council, which were presented to cabinet this week, have identified a series of strengths and weaknesses for the borough’s economy.


High productivity in manufacturing and growth in transport and storage, including logistics, are highlighted as strong points. 


The council, which is under the direction of Mike Palin, who comes from a background of driving economic growth, also pinpoints connectivity and infrastructure on road and rail networks as a major selling point.

However, low levels of enterprise, a perception that the town centre is unattractive and the ongoing recovery from the double dip recession are regarded as weaknesses.