A shopping centre at the heart of a Merseyside town centre will be demolished later this year.
The Hardshaw Centre, in St Helens, is earmarked for closure in September 2023 as part of St Helens Borough Council's "masterplan" of re-generation, which will see the 40-year-old shopping centre close, along with a range of proposed developments called phase one. These include a new hotel, new bus station, new town square and new homes.
Several of the retailers currently based in the Hardshaw Centre are set to relocate to Church Square, which will become the town's main retail area, while some have already made the move.
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The "masterplan", unveiled in 2021 by St Helens Borough Council details an overhaul of the town centre, set to span two decades. The council says the plans will facilitate a game-changing transformation that will build upon the town centre's existing assets and heritage - highlighting the uniqueness of what the town already has to offer - while delivering high quality, sustainable regeneration and shining light on the independent businesses in the borough.
The proposed site affected by the plans comprises a large portion of the town centre. Full planning permission is sought for the demolition of: The Hardshaw Centre, St Mary’s Shopping Arcade, market and multi-storey car park, 39-41 Hall Street (Swan Hotel and Town Fryer Fish & Chips shop) to the immediate east of the bus station and located within the George Street conservation area, all buildings in the block of retail units bounded by the bus station to the east, Bickerstaffe Street to the south, Library Street to the west, and Corporation Street to the north.
Among the buildings that will not be demolished is the old Marks and Spencer building which is joined to the Hardshaw Centre, as well as a power substation. Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning 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.”
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