BUSINESSES that have seen trade hit by the road closures due to the ongoing regeneration works hope that the reopening of Hall Street can help bring an upturn.
The closure of Hall Street, in place over recent months for part of the wider town centre regeneration, has had a negative impact upon businesses, as the Star reported earlier this year.
The first phase of the St Helens town centre regeneration scheme will see a new bus station, hotel, market hall, homes and shops created.
Business owners have said the roadworks had caused multiple problems and that they felt let down by the council.
They include issues with deliveries due to the diversions, taxis sometimes not dropping off or collecting customers at the venue, and a drop off in passing trade.
Taryn Byron, owner of Lily’s Victorian Tea Rooms cafe, said the impact has been devastating, with some days seeing no customers walk in.
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"It has just been awful," she said.
"Some days we are open and literally no one has come in.
"That has never been the case before.
"The feedback from the customers is we simply couldn’t get to you.
"A lot of disabled people and taxis can’t come down, and they can’t walk up."
She said the building site environment has put people off visiting and forced her to cut staff hours.
Taryn said: "We don’t know what the future holds.
"I am determined to stick it out, and I am hoping it will get better with Hall Street reopen.
"We are trying our best to continue opening and keep our prices as low as possible."
Work has meant changes to roads around Hall Street, Bickerstaffe Street and George Street.
Natalie Parr, owner of sandwich shop Appetites on Hall Street, previously said she supports the regeneration but that it’s "been a struggle from day one."
She said: "If they are shutting any other roads they need to tell us.
"We have not got a date for when the bus station will be open."
She echoed calls for better communication from the council during the works.
Natalie said she remains hopeful as the street reopens, saying they received a positive response after sharing the news on social media of the road's reopening.
Plans for the area include a new bus station, hotel, market hall, homes, and shops.
Earlier this year, St Helens Council leader Cllr Anthony Burns said: “As a council we are fully aware that works of this type can be difficult for residents, businesses and visitors.
“Regeneration programmes of this nature, located in the very heart of our town centres, cause inevitable disruption and we appreciate the understanding and patience that has been shown to date.
"We, alongside our construction partners, are doing everything that we can to make the process as smooth as possible and minimise disruption wherever we can."
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