A LANDMARK retail space in the heart of St Helens town centre remains available for lease.

The former Burton’s building, at the junction of Church Street and Bridge Street, has been listed on commercial property websites.

Works to repair facias in the building - which is part of the council-owned Church Square Shopping Centre - have been taking place this week.

It has led to speculation that that a new operator could be taking on the store.

St Helens Star:

However, the Star understand this is not the case and that the repairs are part of maintenance work to make the site more attractive to potential tenants.

Burtons and Dorothy Perkins occupied the prominent retail space until 2014 when they moved to Ravenehead Retail Park.

A Fat Face outlet store opened there temporarily and the building has been used at various times as a pop-up art gallery

Food and drink outlets have previously shown an interest in the site without anything concede developing.

Ultimately retail bosses have struggled to find a long-term occupier amid the decline of town centres.

It is understood there is the possibility the prime site could be used to house stores that relocate from the Hardshaw Centre, if plans to demolish the shopping area go ahead as part of the town centre regeneration masterplan.

There is the potential to divide the space into multiple units to house a number of smaller retailers.