Pictures show sprawling demolition site in St Helens town centre

Drone footage shared by St Helens Council shows the area where the former bus station has been reduced to rubble, while the former Hardshaw Centre almost completely removed.

The local authority says more "precise work" is taking place moving towards historic retail buildings on Church Street, with the frontage of the former M&S expected to be saved and included in the regeneration project.

In recent weeks sections of the former Woolworths store have been demolished.

The council adds that a pilling mat is being laid on site which will serve as a stable working platform "for groundworks to take place, taking us into the next stage of activity".

The view from Church Street. Much of the Hardshaw Centre has been demolished (Image: St Helens Star)

In September, the Star reported reserved matters planning consent for phase one development proposals – which pave the way for construction work to begin on an ambitious transformation. 

Phase One of the project will replace the former Hardshaw Shopping Centre with a "reimagined central district featuring striking new buildings, community spaces, and landscaping". 

Covering 24 acres, the "once in a generation" investment is being driven by St Helens Borough Council in partnership with ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G, and Muse. 

Demolition and enabling works for the projects have been advancing throughout this year.

Council chiefs have stressed that the sheer scale of the project means that it will take take time and much of 2026 is expected to see teams plough on with the development.

The consent for the phase one scheme includes a modern Market Hall, a 120-bed Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 apartments, eight townhouses, and 4,266 sq ft of modern format retail space.

These will all sit within landscaped areas "designed to boost biodiversity, with pollinator friendly planting, extensive greenery, and improved walking, cycling and wheeling routes", say developers.

An artist's image of the transformed St Helens town centre (Image: St Helens Council/ECF)

The scheme, says the developer, will deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain of more than 1,000% and feature play equipment and public art to create a family friendly town centre. 

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council has previously hailed the major project as "a defining moment for St Helens – an opportunity to create a reimagined town centre that works for everyone".

He says the aims is to build a place that reflects our identity and heritage while embracing innovation, where people come together, local businesses thrive, and opportunities are created for future generations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by St Helens Borough Council (@sthelenscouncil)

"From new jobs and apprenticeships to family friendly spaces and greener, healthier streets, this development will improve quality of life for residents.” 

Backed by a £69.2 million funding package from the council, the project also benefits from UK Government support, including £7.24 million for the Phase One of the development through the Town Deal and £0.812 million from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund to enable new housing. 

Main contractor VINCI Building is leading on with the construction phase.  

A new bus station will be built in this area (Image: St Helens Star)

The project is closely linked to the new St Helens Transport Interchange, which gained planning consent in July and will be developed around the footprint of the former Bickerstaffe bus station.

Delivered with financial support from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s £710m City Region Transport Settlement, and a further £3.25 million from Town Deal, "the interchange will provide a modern, welcoming gateway for bus passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians".