MAJOR town centre firms have voiced support for the campaign to keep St Helens Magistrates' and County Courts open.

Small businesses located near the Corporation Street courts have already expressed fears for the survival of their companies should the courts close.

In a consultation document sent to the Government, large firms including Marks & Spencer and Tyrers have spoken of their concerns over the proposal.

Managing director of Tyrers department store, Ali Tyrer, said: "As a business owner and tireless supporter of the town centre, I am horrified and shocked to hear of the potential decision to close our magistrates and the county court.

"My father acted as a magistrate in St Helens for many years and still today I know that our court remains one of the busier of those in question and provides a local service, which, if taken away, will have a significant negative impact on our community.

"If we are serious about protecting everything we can to keep St Helens intact, well-rounded and prosperous, then our magistrates and county court are without question an integral part of that future."

She added: "There is a strong network of solicitors and related staff working from the town centre and they are very important to us here at Tyrers. Many of them shop here regularly and if the courts were to close it would without doubt have a direct impact on our business.

"I employ over 70 staff and given the pressures that already face our town centre businesses this is yet another blow for all of us, there is a lot at stake."

Neil Drummond, finance and operations director for Marks & Spencer St Helens, said: "With regard to the proposed closure of the county court in St Helens, I feel very strongly that this will have a negative impact on the community and a valuable service will be taken away."

Karen Maloney, owner of Renaissance Skincare & Beauty in College Street, said: "As a local business owner I would like to express my deep concern over the proposed closure of St Helens courts.

"The potential loss of jobs and of legal offices within the town centre would directly impact on my business. Together with a loss of clients, a vacant building in this area of the town centre would drive footfall away - again reducing my client base.

"The news for St Helens as a whole is not good. The unemployment rate in the town is relatively high; adding this together with the potential of empty offices, the ramifications on the local economy would be immense."

It was announced this summer that the courts are among 91 courts and tribunals across England and Wales earmarked for closure, with the aim of reducing what Justice Secretary Michael Gove described as "surplus capacity".