A NUMBER of businesses are making the move from St Helens town centre's Hardshaw Centre ahead of regeneration plans which will see it demolished.

It is leading to a number of relocations of retailers to Church Square, where the plan is to consolidate a main retail area.

Further down the line the Hardshaw Centre will be bulldozed to make space for regenerations works, although the former M&S united will be retained.

Here the Star explains what is going on at the moment and how it fits in with the wider regeneration plan.

Which businesses are on the move?

A number of businesses have made the move across to the Church Square Shopping Centre already. Bonmarche has recently moved to the former Select store inside the shopping centre, while, at a date to be confirmed, Select will enter the downstairs of the former Dorothy Perkins/Burtons building.

Other recent movers include Infinity Occasions, which is a collaboration between former Hardshaw Centre stall owners The Flower Barrow and The Sweet Kiosk join forces. They are in the former Thomas Cook branch on Bridge Street.

Shoe Zone is still trading at the Hardshaw Centre for now but is due to move to the former Perfect Home site on Church Street.

What about others?

It is understood negotiations going on with other businesses to move across to empty units - both in Church Square and the town centre - but nothing has yet been confirmed.

We still don't know yet about the likes of TJ Hughes, One Below and Heron Foods, which are among the Hardshaw Centre's biggest traders.

There are still question marks over what will happen with the likes of Cafe Zinho, which has branches in both shopping centres.

Is there still space in Church Square?

Yes, the former Miss Selfridge store, a large store occupied most recently by H&M, the empty Phones 4 U on Church Street and the former Geek Retreat on Bridge Street are empty and could accommodate new customers.

What is the atmosphere like in the centre?

The atmosphere walking around the Hardshaw Centre feels rather downbeat at the moment, with many remaining shop and stall workers saying it’s an "end of an era".

Cat Gaskell, who has worked at The Phone Booth stall for 17 years, said: “It’s an end of an era seeing the Hardshaw Centre getting more and more empty.

“It’s been declining for a few years after M&S shut, but there are exciting plans for Church Square shopping centre so the hope is talks will see lots more move over there.

“We’ve got regular customers and we don’t want to leave the town centre, it’s all very up in the air at the moment but hopefully it will all work out.”

A mum-of-three, who was shopping at the centre, added: “It’s really sad coming here at the minute, the plans sound amazing for St Helens but in the here and now it’s just a bit sad.

“I hope all these [shops] moves over to other places, it would be a shame to lose them.”

Those that have moved have also benefited from a positive response so far, with the co-owners of Infinity Occasions enjoying a strong response from customers.

What is phase 1 of the regeneration strategy?

The Hardshaw Centre will be flattened as part of the first phase of the town centre redevelopment, which is a partnership project by the English Cities Fund and St Helens Council.

Phase one's plans involve:

  • A new bus station for St Helens
  • The creation of a new Gamble Square, the pedestrianisation of Bickerstaffe Street and the widening of Corporation Street.
  • Extensive demolition of the Hardshaw Centre and other key properties
  • Creation of new high spec offices
  • A 120 bed hotel
  • A new mordern market hall, with food and beverage stalls.
  • New homes - including apartments and family homes 
  • New retail units to support independent traders and high street names
  • Extensive public realm works linking the new development to the train station, bus station and Church Square.
  • A proposed timeline sets out demolition for winter 2023, before works begins on site the following spring.  

What do the Council have to say on the plans? 

Councillor Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, on behalf of St Helens Borough Council added: “We’ll see a lot of change in the coming months across St Helens Town Centre as part of our plans to support businesses find new locations to make way for our exciting regeneration plans that will make St Helens town centre more vibrant with a new market hall, office, hotel and homes.

"It is also great to see new businesses wanting to open here now and recognise our regeneration plans will drive positive change for businesses like Infinity Occasions, while big brands like Go Outdoors committing to Church Square Shopping Centre reinforces the bright future for St Helens town centre.”