NEWS that outdoor clothing chain Millets is returning to St Helens has been described as a step in the right direction for the town centre by a senior councillor.

The retailer, which pulled out of St Helens several years ago, will occupy the former Scotts store on Church Street, St Helens.

Millets' return is the latest good news story for the town centre after Greenwoods set up shop in the Hardshaw Centre and OD's junior store won a prestigious industry fashion honour.

But the position of the high street remains a challenging one - and Marks and Spencers is set to leave a major hole when it relocates to the Ravenhead Retail Park next year.

St Helens Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for economic development, councillor Andy Bowden, said: “The return of a nationally-recognised store like Millets to St Helens town centre is to be welcomed.

"Our vision is that of a thriving town centre – packed with a fantastic retail and leisure scene to give the people of St Helens a town centre to be proud of, while providing shoppers from outside of the borough with a good reason to visit St Helens.

“This latest addition to St Helens town centre’s high street is certainly a step in the right direction of turning that vision into action."