Petition started to save the Swan from plans to demolish pub

Planning for the town centre's regeneration, St Helens Council approved multiple Compulsory Purchase Orders this month to make way for new homes, retail facilities, office spaces, a hotel, and a market.

This included the proposed acquisition of the Swan pub, on Corporation Street, which is planned to be flattened for a "new, larger, and improved bus station facility" in St Helens.

However, after hundreds of people shared their disappointment with the proposals online, Scott Hindley, son of the pub landlady Angela, said they are not "going to take the plans lying down".

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Scott lives above the Swan with his partner, his mum and her partner (Image: Scott Hindley)

The Swan's hard work "could all go to waste"

Scott, who has lived above the pub with his mum for the past nine years, said: "After my mum and dad got divorced, she worked so hard to build the pub back to where it should be.

"We have all put so much effort into improving the pub and we had a huge refurb during the pandemic. We spent thousands on improving the beer garden, installing new TVs for sports, and getting better sound systems for live entertainment.

"We try to make the pub as friendly and welcoming as we can and have had so many new people coming in since the refurb.

"It's a place where Saints players have come in, celebrities have dropped in after a show at the Theatre Royal, but now all that could go to waste."

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

Scott said everyone at the Swan has worked hard to get it where it is today (Image: The Swan)

Unhappy with the plans to bulldoze the building for a bigger bus station, Scott has created an online petition in an attempt to gather enough support to make the council rethink its proposals.

In just under 48 hours, his campaign has had more than 800 signatures.

The Swan had a huge refurb during the pandemic, including an improved outdoor seating area (Image: The Swan)

"The community of St Helens does not want this place to go"

Scott added: "I don't think it's necessary to flatten a business when we already have a bus station.

"The pub is doing something good for the community. It's a place that generations of people have come to and it's a place that people love and care about.

"The response to the petition has been unbelievable so far and the support is only getting bigger.

"It goes to show that the community of St Helens does not want this place to go."

The Swan pub, on Corporation Street (Image: Google Maps)

Regeneration plans described as "transformational"

St Helens Council said that the town centre's "transformational" first phase development will "attract more people to live, visit, [and] work" in St Helens.

A spokesperson said: “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.”

The town centre regeneration looks to bring new homes, offices, retail facilities and a hotel into the town centre (Image: St Helens Council)

Further negotiations are likely to go ahead following the Compulsory Purchase Order of the Swan pub.

People can make formal objections to the council's plans until Friday, January 13.

These must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Planning Casework Unit 23, Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH.

To sign the 'Save the Swan' petition, you can follow this link.