A STYLISH food and drink market has cleared the final planning hurdle in its development process after being granted official permission to open in the town centre.

After months of planning, St Helens Council have officially rubber-stamped the plans for Imperial Quarter, which is to open on Brook Street later this year.

Owned by local entrepreneur Ian Pitts, Imperial Quarter looks to bring a vibrant, city-centre vibe to St Helens, with the site housing a series of street food units, bars, as well as an ice-cream shop.

Construction work is already well underway, but this decision is the final confirmation that the Quarter can continue with their proposals and open to the public.

St Helens Star: Construction work has been ongoing at the site for the past yearConstruction work has been ongoing at the site for the past year

The food and drink market has taken over the site of a former public toilets and is one of a number of independent food and drink businesses transforming disused spaces in the town centre.

St Helens Council have encouraged this direction which is hoped to increase footfall in the town centre and attract people from further afield.

As their plans have been accepted, Imperial Quarter will complete their conversion of the former toilets into the food and drink market, with the addition of a first floor extension.

St Helens Star: A blueprint of how the venue will lookA blueprint of how the venue will look

They also propose to install other containers on the paved area near the Brook Street building that would house two additional extra street food units, complete with outdoor seating.

In the region of 20 new jobs could be created.

No opening date has yet been given, but this planning decision confirms the venue has the all-clear to open to the public; primed to deliver a boost to the hospitality sector and social scene in the centre of St Helens.