Uncertain footfall making Georgie Porgies rethink its future

After being diagnosed with vascular dementia, Michelle Greensmith opened up Georgie Porgies cafe on Water Street, just off Westfield Street, as a family business in late 2020.

Launching the business during the pandemic, it has been a struggle to attract regular customers to Georgie Porgies, and it recently shifted from being a sit-in cafe to takeaway-only due to dwindling foot traffic.

With the cost of living crisis causing further headaches for the independent business, the family says they are debating whether to continue trading in St Helens, move out of town, or shut down completely once their lease runs out at the end of the year.

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Georgie Porgies have become well known for their breakfast and lunch menus (Image: Georgie Porgies)

Michelle, from Parr, said: "I'm born and bred in St Helens and I remember how the town centre used to be buzzing everywhere you went.

"People are just not coming into town as much now and it's such a shame. Sometimes I think it's not worth opening because it is so quiet.

"Me and Richard aren't even taking any money from the business as we can only afford to pay our daughter a wage, and Richard has even taken on a part-time job to keep us going.

"Things are very uncertain at the minute but we won't be able to afford our rent if the price of everything keeps going up and we aren't getting the custom."

The cafe turned into a take-away only business in November due to dwindling footfall (Image: Georgie Porgies)

With regeneration plans in the pipeline for St Helens, Michelle agreed that this is a necessity to increase footfall and improve the look and feel of the town.

However, concerned about the pub-and-club-heavy environment of Westfield Street, she said she was unsure if the investment will be enough to ensure the survival of independent traders on this side of town.  

St Helens Council confirmed that Westfield Street is included in its regeneration plans and will remain as a "mixed-use, retail, and leisure development".

Improvements to the public realm and pedestrian connectivity on Westfield Street are included in the planned first phase of regeneration.

The eclectic wall inside Georgie Porgies (Image: Georgie Porgies)

Michelle, 60, added: "The regeneration plans are definitely needed but I'm not sure if they will make much of a difference to businesses on Westfield Street, and I hope we aren't forgotten about.

"Opening during the pandemic, it feels like we've only known struggle, so we will just have to see how the rest of the year goes and make a decision when the lease is up for renewal." 

Georgie Porgies Cafe, on Water Street (Image: St Helens Star)