Multimillion-pound Liverpool City Region investment in St Helens moves ahead

by Ian Hughes
21st September 2020

An opportunity to secure a multimillion-pound investment for both St Helens and Earlestown town centres could soon move forward.

The £2m is split down the middle between a pair of vehicles, with the first being the Liverpool City Region Town Centre Fund.

On 29 January, St Helens Council’s Cabinet agreed to accept grant funding of £1m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority after an action plan – which at that time focused heavily on grants to support the occupation of vacant units, the completion of a town centre masterplan and public realm improvements – was agreed.

However, in the light of the unprecedented challenge facing town centres, the previously approved proposals are no longer appropriate.

As such, the £1m would be repurposed to help and support businesses in he wake of the pandemic as both areas look to recover.

The second batch would come from the government’s Town Deal Accelerated Fund – a £5bn initiative designed to support jobs and provide an economic boost. Part of this would go towards demolishing Chalon Way car park, which acts as a barrier to the town centre and conceals the canal.

St Helens Council’s Cabinet has been recommended to approve the acceptance of money from both the Liverpool City Region Town Centre Fund and the Town Deal Accelerated Fund.

“This report brings forward an opportunity for the investment of £2m into St Helens and Earlestown town centres to recognise the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had, and to help and assist local businesses and the St Helens economy to recover.

“It is anticipated that this significant level of investment will act as a catalyst for future investment and to accelerate delivery of the council’s regeneration programmes.”

The meeting will take place today (23 September).

Ian Hughes
Ian Hughes
Marketing Manager
21st September 2020