ST HELENS has been handed a major boost after being named among the areas to be given funding as part of the Government's Towns Deal Fund.

Downing Street has issued a statement confirming St Helens is among 15 areas that will receive funds.

The amount St Helens will receive is £25m. This follows a submission by local leaders earlier this year.

The money will be used for regeneration projects in and around St Helens town centre.

As the Star has previously reported, public, private and voluntary sectors worked together through the Town Deal Board and spent the year developing key projects which make up the Town Investment Plan.

Towns Deals are also being awarded to Birkenhead, Bloxwich, Blyth, Crewe, Darwen, Dudley, Grays, Millom, Nelson, Newhaven, Runcorn, Stainforth, Tilbury and Todmorden.

A statement read: "Government funding will enable these areas to invest in their local economies, implementing proposals submitted to the government’s Towns Fund, which is designed to create jobs and reshape our towns and cities into places where businesses and communities can thrive."

The statement was issued as Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his vision on how the government would deliver on the central purpose of his premiership – to level up and unite the whole of the United Kingdom.

Speaking from the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry, he outlined the challenges the country faces and opportunities that must be grasped to make sure that "we build back better following the pandemic".

The Prime Minister set out the catalytic role for government and the need to:

• Empower strong local leaders by taking a more flexible approach to devolution, with new ‘County Deals’

• Focus on growing the private sector by creating the conditions for long-term growth and productivity;

• Invest in infrastructure and connectivity;

• Ensure that people have access to good public services, and the skills and training needed to get good jobs; and

• Improve the quality of life in communities through cutting crime and regenerating towns and high streets

Meanwhile, St Helens Town Deal Board - a partnership between local business, community and political leaders - hailed the step forward.

The funding will be used to support innovative projects to support the town centre regeneration and the borough’s economic recovery.

Reaction

Welcoming the news Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “This is a milestone moment in the redevelopment of St Helens and will have a hugely positive impact on our plans for major regeneration.

"Very few places have received this amount and it’s testament to the quality of the bid and the collective hard work of the council, our MPs, and John Tabern and all the members of the Town Deal Board.”

John Tabern, chairman of St Helens Town Deal Board added: “I’m so proud of what the collective effort of our local business, community and political leaders has achieved for St Helens.

"This is just the start. Our town and our people can look forward to a bright future.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said the town centre plans are ambitious and would link in with the English Cities Fund partnership, which is a separate development plan.

What St Helens MPs have said

Conor McGinn, St Helens North MP, said: “This is a huge boost to our efforts to regenerate the town.

"Our bid was strong and we confidently pushed it, and it has paid off.

"St Helens isn’t taking second place to anywhere - we are driving ahead with our ambitious plans to make this the best place to live and work in the North West.”

St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer added: “This is fantastic news for the town.

"I’m so proud of local businesses, community groups and politicians working together to secure this funding that will make a real difference to our town.

"The expansion of Glass Futures promises to keep St Helens at the heart of the global glass industry for generations to come.”