AN opening date has been set for a new food and drink quarter that will aim to give St Helens' nightlife scene a much-needed boost.
The Imperial Food and Drink quarter on Brook Street is being launched by entrepreneur Ian Pitts.
The venue's opening has previously been hit by what bosses say were an "incredible amount of spanners thrown in the works causing time delays".
These include problems caused by Covid, building material delays and recruitment struggles.
But, finally, an opening date has been set for Friday, October 28 from 5pm, with customers attending the launch promised a weekend of live music, drink and street food.
Among the acts performing will be St Helens singers Bradley Johnson and Jack Bennett.
Johnson will kick things off on the Friday and both acts will sing on Saturday.
Mr Pitts wants to create an independent food zone around the new site, including adjacent properties at the Secret Garden, the Imperial and the Church.
Details of the different food venues are still to be announced.
City centre feel
The aim is to create a city centre style feel, with venues similar to those found in Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter.
The new food and drink quarter has actually risen on the site of a former public toilet block, facing St Helens College.
It will seat 250 people inside and outside.
Mr Pitts has a vision to grow the area even further and has already set out plans to convert the former Gibson sports store.
Complementing other venues
The new building will be complemented by pizza restaurant Cork & Dough, the Secret Graden gin bar and The Church, which are on nearby Ormskirk Street.
The Citadel music venue, which the entrepreneur also owns, is just a stone's throw away too.
Speaking in the summer, Mr Pitts said the aim is to create an "independent food area for St Helens that we can keep developing on and growing as we go".
St Helens' social scene, like other towns, has been hit by the pandemic, with the changing of people's habits, a shortage of taxi drivers and the difficulty recruiting in the hospitality sector among the many factors that have had a detrimental impact.
But Mr Pitts is hopeful that his new investment can be a catalyst for the town centre's night scene and draw people back in.
Support from the St Helens public will be crucial though - and the prospect of launching any new business is made tougher by the cost-of-living crisis.
It is hoped by opening two months before Christmas, that it will attract custom from people attracting major events in St Helens - with Australia and Italy in a Rugby League World Cup clash next Saturday (October 29) and a fireworks show at Saints (November 5) both expected to draw people into the town centre.
Beyond those dates, it will hope to appeal for friends and colleagues gathering for Christmas parties.
Speaking earlier in the year, Mr Pitts said: "An aim to rebuild this industry after a true hospitality crisis and help independent business thrive again.
"This may take time but we will make this happen with your support."
The area - Imperial Food & Drink Quarter - holds 250 people seated, spread over a ground floor front and back, an upper floor with an outdoor balcony overlooking the lower floor and surroundings.
The venue is adjacent to the Imperial Buildings, which contain Cork & Dough and the Secret Garden.
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