A LONG-TERM vision to transform St Helens town centre over the next decade was unveiled by St Helens Council this week – here are nine key points about the vision.

1. Canal-side to be focal point

Part of the town centre vision is a plan to redevelop the area around the section of Sankey Canal into a modern waterfront area, complete with bars and restaurants on lower levels and desirable canal-side apartments above, taking inspiration from stylish cities around the UK and Europe.

2. Four Quarters to shape the town

Key developments will gradually shape the town centre into four distinct quarters, namely the Shopping Quarter, centred on Church Square; the Education Quarter, based around St Helens College, where there is an ambition to enhance the campus style atmosphere; the Civic and Heritage Quarter, with the town hall and Gamble Building on Victoria Square at its heart, where regular events could be held; and the Growth Quarter at the canal-side redevelopment.

3. Taking pride in heritage

The Sankey Canal itself is the oldest industrial canal in the world, having opened four years before the Bridgewater Canal in Manchester and the strategy includes plans to build on the town's industrial heritage, which is currently an under-utilised asset. Using the town's glass heritage to improve its visual identity is part of the plan. This may be achieved through glass canopies and signage.

4. Better connectivity

Improved connectivity is also a key part of the town centre regeneration, with the strategy noting St Helens' advantageous position at the interchange of north-south and east-west motorway and railway links.

In 2018, new franchise arrangements will see St Helens Central gain direct connectivity to destinations such as Glasgow, Newcastle and Lancaster, as well as faster direct routes into Liverpool.

Stations across the borough will also have faster journey times to Manchester too, and it’s the council’s hope to create a direct route to Manchester from St Helens Central in the years ahead.

5. A new shopping mix

Currently less than one per cent of the retail space within the town centre is owned by St Helens Council, meaning that the authority has had little or no control over development. With direct intervention, the council intends to have greater control over the type of retail facilities that are developed in the years ahead.

The strategy outlines a number of key developments which, if delivered, would be pivotal in providing the opportunity to transform the town centre. Chief among these would be an enhanced shopping area in keeping with the changing face of the British high street, with independent shops appearing alongside well known high street brands.

6. Family friendly dining

The strategy cites changing shopping habits – with a cultural shift to online shopping – and a lack of quality dining options in the town centre as one of the main reasons behind its decline. More family-centred restaurants and cafés are set to feature in the reimagined centre.

7. A vibrant night-time economy

The canal-side area would be the centre of a lively night-time economy, according to the strategy. One goal is to attract couples back into town for shopping followed by a meal and drinks.

8. New arts and culture centre?

There’s an ambition to enrich the borough’s already strong and nationally recognised arts and culture offer, with the potential for a dedicated arts and culture centre included in the canal-side regeneration. It is believed arts and culture could play a role in improving people's quality of life.

9. Modern town centre living

Inner-city and town centre living is becoming increasingly appealing to young professionals, with easy access to leisure and culture.

Underused and vacant sites around the town centre boundary including Birchley Street car park and St Helens Central railway station could be redeveloped with this in mind.

Already, housing developers are looking to invest in this vision, with two vacant sites – the former Tyrers department store and empty office space on Claughton Street – purchased for redevelopment into apartments by Luxor Estates.