Hopes are high for the future of two Merseyside towns following regeneration plans.
Plans were released to the public last month by St Helens Borough Council and outline a 'masterplan' of regeneration for Earlestown and St Helens town centres, with the two currently having undergone little ground breaking work since the 1970s and 1980s.
The public consultation period for the plans opens this week, with pop-up shops appearing across St Helens for residents to share their views.
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What do you think of the plans? Let us know in the comments below
The plans for St Helens are expected to span the next 20 years, and include three phases, with the phase one planning expected to be submitted next year.
The plans for Earlestown are similar, with ambitions to 'return the town to its former glory as a market town', with a complete overhaul of the current market and high street planned.
The ECHO spoke to some residents for their views on the plans.
Shane Bluck said: "It looks both ambitious and achievable and can only be a great thing for the town.
"There are already some glimpses of the future with a restaurant like The Dean, we now need to build on the all important transport links, particularly to Liverpool/Manchester via fast trains
"Then further business will be attracted in and visitors from these huge catchment areas will come to St Helens instead of us heading to them.
"The knock on effect of the transport links will be huge and will also boost the housing market and will push up housing prices."
Chris Marsden said: "It’s the future, all towns getting rid of shops and turning it onto hospitality, pubs restaurants etc. Looks good. But for me, no cars or vans at all , pedestrianised to me means pedestrians only."
Mark Reynolds added: "It's what the town centre needs, but its come at a very late time to start the 'rejuvenation'.
"There are vast numbers of empty shops that are unlikely to be refilled and it will end up looking like something out of Goodnight Sweetheart.
"The 15-20 year duration is far too long,I don't think it took that long to re-build the town after the war"
The plans can be viewed in full and people can give their views here for Earlestown and here for St Helens.
