The Swan landlady may 'lose job and home' in plans to demolish pub

Angela Hindley, from Haydock, has worked in the pub industry all of her adult life and became the landlady of the Swan pub, on Corporation Street, in 2009.

After splitting up with her partner, she said it was the perfect place to "start from scratch" and has lived with her family upstairs for the past nine years.

However, as part of St Helens' town centre regeneration plans, she is now under threat of losing both her job and her home.

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Angela Hindley has lived above the Swan pub for the last nine years (Image: Angela Hindley)

In September, the council announced that they were seeking planning permission for the demolition of 39-41 Hall Street, which includes the Swan pub and Town Fryer Fish & Chip shop.

Council members then approved proposals for the Compulsory Purchase Order of the buildings, which they state form an "integral part of delivering the new, larger, and improved bus station facility" for St Helens town centre.

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The Hall Street/Corporation Street buildings would be flattened to make way for an improved bus station (Image: Google Images)

"Such a shame to see it go"

Angela, 54, has been left reeling at the plans and said she only became aware of the council's initial plans through a Star article in September.

She said: "I've had some letters of proposed developments from the council, but was not aware that the Swan was included until September when I read about the plans online.

"It really got to me that I found out in this way, and it feels as though there hasn't been any consideration for me and my family who live above the pub.

"I can't understand the decision to demolish the building when it's a stable business, and there are not too many pubs or public houses left in the town centre.

"We have a real community of regulars here so it will affect so many people's lives, and it will be such a shame to see it go just to be landscaped for the bus station."

Herself included, Angela said that six people will lose their jobs if the pub is bulldozed.

The Swan's recently improved seating area (Image: The Swan)

As part of the regeneration plans, which looks to bring new homes, retail facilities, office space, a hotel, and a market to the town centre, Compulsory Purchase Orders were approved in multiple areas across the town centre.

As well as the Hall Street/ Corporation Street buildings, this includes the Hardshaw Centre, the car park, bus station, as well as land on Corporation Street, Library Street and Bickerstaffe Street.

St Helens Council said that they contacted the tenant of the Swan Hotel about the Compulsory Purchase Order on Tuesday, November 29 and Tuesday, December 6.

They added that a further formal notification will be issued following the making of the Order, with more negotiations likely to come surrounding the acquisition of the building.

What the council has said

Town centre regeneration plans include new homes, retail units, a hotel, and market (Image: St Helens Council)

A council spokesman said: “Working with our project partners, the English Cities Fund, we are confident that the proposals will be transformational for St Helens town centre; attracting more people to live, visit, work and enjoy St Helens as a thriving destination with something for the whole family.

“The first phase development will bring forward a vibrant mixed-use scheme that includes approximately 60 new homes, high quality office space, an international hotel, retail facilities, leisure amenities and a market, all set within stunning public spaces.

“The completed first phase development will attract more investment, leading to delivery of the wider masterplan development framework and the balance of the 423 new homes.”