THE proposed demolition of the Swan pub would form part of plans to deliver a more accessible bus station and drive footfall into a regenerated town centre, the council has said.
Following consultations with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, St Helens Council said that they listened to the concerns that the town centre "requires transformation [and] ambitious plans should be made and implemented".
Working alongside the English Cities Fund, the council created a 20-year strategic "masterplan" to transform St Helens, which will bring new homes, offices, retailers, a hotel and a market into the town centre.
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Bus station improvements key to regeneration plans
After nearly 30 years since St Helens Bus Station was last improved, the council has made the station's reconfiguration as a "core component" of its masterplan, intended to drive footfall into the town centre.
To make way for the extended bus station, the council controversially approved a Compulsory Purchase Order for the Swan pub earlier this month, which would see the building flattened.
Serving the people of St Helens for more than a century, the decision has not gone down well with the "community of regulars" at the Corporation Street pub.
More than 1,400 people have signed a petition to try and make the council rethink its proposals, as the plans would also leave six people without a job and the landlady, Angela Hindley, without a home.
Angela, who has lived above the pub with her family for the past nine years, says that the first time she became aware of the council's initial plans was through a Star article in September.
The council dispute this, however, and said The Swan was contacted by post in March, April, and August 2022, and received no representations in response.
Councillors also stated that "direct engagement" has taken place with Punch Partnerships, the brewery that owns the pub.
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Vision for regeneration backed by respondents
As residents and regulars have spoken out about plans to bulldoze the Swan, the council has apologised for any distress caused.
However, councillors are confident that they have the backing to go ahead with their plans as they say 88% of respondents "strongly supported" the vision of the masterplan in February 2022, following an "extensive period of engagement" across digital and offline channels.
The council also explained that the masterplan "clearly identified proposals for the transport interchange improvements", including impacts for the Swan Public House.
They state that 82% of respondents supported the proposals to reconfigure St Helens bus and train stations.
Statement from St Helens Council and the English Cities Fund on town centre rregeneration
A spokesperson for St Helens Council said: "The St Helens Borough Strategy 2021-2030 was shaped by residents, communities, businesses and stakeholders.
"As part of this we heard that 'St Helens Town Centre requires transformation, ambitious plans should be made and implemented'.
"Since ECF were appointed as the council’s 20-year strategic regeneration partner in 2020, we have been working together to prioritise the transformational change of St Helens Town Centre to deliver a high quality, vibrant place that is fit for the future.
"An extensive period of engagement on our Masterplan proposals started in November 2021 and everyone across the residential and business community were invited to have their say.
"This consultation was advertised across a range of digital and offline channels, with drop-in events also scheduled throughout this period.
"A third-party social enterprise that specialises in community consultations were also brought on board and held a series of in-person events during this time targeted to specific groups, including young people, disabled people, older people, young care leavers, social workers and foster carers.
"This extensive and positive engagement led to the successful adoption of the St Helens Masterplan Development Framework in February 2022, with 88% of respondents strongly supporting or supporting its vision.
"It is now nearly 30-years since St Helens Bus Station was last improved to form the current heavily constrained footprint and poor appearance.
"A new and extended bus station that will future proof the provision of bus services and act as an attractive arrival point in St Helens town centre is a core component of the Masterplan, delivering a more accessible public transport network to connect communities across the borough and drive sustainable footfall into the town centre.
"The Masterplan visuals clearly identified proposals for the transport interchange improvements, including impacts for the Swan Public House, and 82% of respondents supported the proposals to reconfigure St Helens bus and train stations.
"Properties affected by the outline planning application, which included The Swan Public House and specifically identified its proposed demolition, were directly contacted by letters issued in March, April and August 2022.
"No representations were received from The Swan Public House in response.
"Direct engagement has also taken place with Punch Partnerships, the owner of The Swan, who advise that they have been in direct contact with the tenant over the proposed Compulsory Purchase Order.
"We are sorry if this causes any distress to those affected with regards to The Swan Public House, or any other properties and businesses, and would like to reaffirm that our door is always open to speaking directly to discuss our town centre regeneration ambitions and activities."
Punch Partnerships has been contacted for a comment.
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