COUNCIL chiefs have not given up on plans to purchase the former Marks & Spencer store in St Helens town centre, although the authority is “considering all options”.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service first reported that St Helens Borough Council was eyeing up the vacant store in July last year.
A year to this day, Labour councillors met behind closed doors in the town hall to discuss plans to buy the former store, which has been vacant since March 2019.
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The move is part of wider plans for the regeneration of St Helens town centre, with the intention to use the former Marks & Spencer store to house the town’s indoor market.
Sources at the time said it was hoped the new market would be ready in 2020, but more than a year later and the council is still locked in talks with the LCP Group, which owns and manages the Hardshaw Centre, with talks proving more difficult than anticipated.
The local authority remains tight-lipped over why it has failed to seal the deal, although it is understood the two parties are still locked in negotiations.
However, a council spokesman said the authority is “considering all available options”.
Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “Discussions regarding the acquisition of land or property is a commercially sensitive matter therefore the council would not be in a position to comment on this until any sale was agreed.”
Cllr McCauley said St Mary’s Market remains “pivotal” to the council’s town centre redevelopment plans.
The Labour councillor said the council will consult with traders “when the time is right”.
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Cllr McCauley said: “St Mary’s Market forms a very important key anchor for the town centre and the council is eager to see it flourish, therefore the market is likely to form a pivotal element of the town deal and we will be consulting with traders when the time is right and as part of a wider consultation plan.
“The council acknowledges that these are difficult and challenging times for traders and want to ensure them that we will do everything that we can to help and assist.
“Traders were eligible to apply for the Small Business Grant and I am glad to say that many applied and have received the £10,000 payment.”
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