A SHOPPING parade that was ravaged by a fire has been rebuilt and is almost ready to open to the public.
The community shops on Wythburn Crescent, Carr Mill, were irreparably damaged in November 2018 following an attempted break-in that resulted in a fire.
Following the devastating incident, residents across Carr Mill and Moss Bank were invited to a consultation on the future use of the site, with the outcome clear that people wanted to see the shops rebuilt.
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Developers and Torus teams started the rebuild last March, which coincided with the structural improvement works on the shopping parade at nearby Bassenthwaite Avenue.
After almost five years, residents in Carr Mill will again have a shopping parade on Wythburn Crescent as Torus aims to have the structural work completed by the end of this month.
Following the completed redevelopment, the shop's opening dates will depend on each business' interior fitting.
Mike Austin, Torus Head of Asset Investment, said: "Investing in communities is a central focus for Torus and we are pleased to advise that our element of the works to rebuild the shops on Wythburn Crescent will be finished by the end of March.
"After that, the individual shops will be handed over to the tenants to complete their own shopfitting. Therefore we cannot advise of when they will reopen.”
With structural issues at Bassenthwaite Avenue leading to residential tenants in the above flats being rehoused, there has been a succession of issues at the community shopping parades.
However, following the issues and delays, it is hoped that the Wythburn Crescent shopping parade will finally be open in the coming weeks.
READ > Work to rebuild shops at Carr Mill destroyed by fire welcomed
Following the 2018 fire, St Helens North MP Conor McGinn was involved in the development consultations and emphasised the importance of the shopping parade in the community.
In a previous statement, Mr McGinn said: “The parade of shops at Wythburn Crescent and Bassenthwaite Avenue are a focal point and at the heart of the Moss Bank community.
"The commitment from Torus to rebuild and restore, respectively, these two important sites is welcome and I am hopeful that the progress made will soon see local people once again able to access the things they need in the place they live.”
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