THE first unit at the Imperial Food and Drink Quarter in St Helens town centre has opened.
The ice cream parlour, next to the newly constructed street food venue off Ormskirk Street, welcomed its first customers on Friday.
Serving 24 flavours of Frederick's ice cream, owner Ian Pitts hopes it will attract families during the remainder of summer.
The majority of work on the new food and drink quarter is now completed but the main building is still to open, primarily because of challenges recruiting hospitality staff, which is an issue faced by businesses both locally and nationally.
It is understood the entrepreneur is taking a cautious approach to opening as he wants the foundations of the business to be firmly in place before a full launch.
Earlier in the summer the business said that "after an incredible amount of spanners thrown in the works causing time delays" - which included Covid and building material delays - it was edging closer and thanked potential customers for their patience.
Mr Pitts' aim is to create an independent food zone around the new site, including adjacent properties at the Secret Garden, the Imperial and the Church.
He wants to create a city centre style feel, with venues similar to those found in Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter.
The Cork & Dough pizza venue, which is part of the Imperial Buildings, reopened last month.
The owner's vision to grow the area even further and has already set out plans to convert the former Gibson sports store.
But he is also aware of the challenges, with St Helens' nighttime economy having been hit hard by Covid.
The business's statement earlier this summer added: "To give you more of an understanding of our vision, we have a bigger aim for this than just another business…our aim is to create an independent food AREA for St Helens that we can keep developing on and growing as we go.
"An aim to rebuild this industry after a true hospitality crisis and help independent business thrive again.
"This may take time but we will make this happen with your support.
"The area (Imperial Food & Drink Quarter) currently holds 250 people seated, spread over a ground floor front and back, an upper floor with an outdoor balcony overlooking the lower floor and surroundings.
"The new food and drinks quarter is an exciting addition to the already booming Imperial Buildings in St Helens town centre - situated directly opposite - which has been open and expanding for almost 15 years."
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