St Helens: step back in time with 11 nostalgic photos

Many locals are proud of their hometown and frequently talk about places such as the covered market, Tyrers, Helena House, the Fleece Hotel, and the Savoy Cinema as lost venues that still hold a special place in their hearts.

Some of these beloved buildings have been lost to the history books as the town centre, like many others, has struggled with declining high street trends.

Many residents agree that the town centre is in need of transformation, but the changing times often make old images of the town all the more poignant.

We have delved deep into the archives to find nostalgic images of the town centre that span much of the twentieth century.

Do you have any happy memories of days gone by that you'd like to share with us?

Let us know in the comments.

The ornately designed Griffins store stands at the top of Westfield Street in this photo from around 1960 - in the distance are row upon row of terraced houses (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

Tyrers department store is a much-missed feature of St Helens town centre (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

Tyrers department store (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

An old horse-drawn fire engine is ridden through the streets of St Helens in this picture from 1975 (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

A 1969 photo of a bustling Ormskirk Street in St Helens - the Gas Service building is on the left, and further along the road is the sign for the Blue Parrot nightclub (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

From the bottom of Prescot Road, the view is looking across St Helens along Westfield Street an across the old college campus site in this photo from 1967 (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

The splendour of Church Square, with M&S and Woolies in the background (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

Martins Bank at the junction of Church Street and Hardshaw Street (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

A charming snapshot of Mrs Hawksworth and her daughter Alice on their fruit and veg stall at St Helens market at Christmas-time. Also pictured is Reverend William G West who was the minister at Peasley Cross Congregation Church from 1953 to 1959 (Image: St Helens Local Archives)

The ornate, mock Tudor Griffins store was an impressive sight on the corner of Westfield Street (Image: St Helens Local Archives)