WITH the Hardshaw Centre fast approaching its final days in the town centre, question marks remain over the future of some of its biggest retailers in St Helens.

As part of town centre regeneration plans, St Helens Council purchased the Hardshaw Centre last year to make way for a new and improved bus station, as well as other developments involving new homes, offices, and retailers.

Due to declining footfall figures in the town centre, many businesses had already left the Hardshaw Centre but the council's purchase has accelerated this withdrawal.

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Hardshaw businesses leaving to other town centre spaces

With it believed that the council wants all Hardshaw Centre units to be empty by September 2023, many businesses have agreed to take up space in other areas in St Helens before the regeneration work commences.

This includes companies like Bonmarche, which has made the move over to Church Square shopping centre, and Shoezone which has transitioned into a unit on Church Street.

However, question marks remain on the future of some Hardshaw businesses in St Helens as they have not responded to our questioning.

This includes the discount department store TJ Hughes and discount supermarket Heron Foods, who are both one of the larger retailers and employers in the Hardshaw Centre.

READ > Businesses speak about leaving Hardshaw Centre ahead of its final year

End of an era

As many businesses leave units in the Hardshaw Centre, many remaining shop and stall workers have said it’s an "end of an era".

Speaking previously to the Star, Cat Gaskell, who has worked at The Phone Booth stall for 17 years, said: “It’s an end of an era seeing the Hardshaw Centre getting more and more empty.

“It’s been declining for a few years after M&S shut, but there are exciting plans for Church Square shopping centre so the hope is talks will see lots more move over there.

“We’ve got regular customers and we don’t want to leave the town centre, it’s all very up in the air at the moment but hopefully it will all work out.”

READ > Hardshaw Centre: what are the plans and who is relocating?

Statement from St Helens Council

Councillor Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, on behalf of St Helens Borough Council added: “We’ll see a lot of change in the coming months across St Helens Town Centre as part of our plans to support businesses find new locations to make way for our exciting regeneration plans that will make St Helens town centre more vibrant with a new market hall, office, hotel and homes.

"It is also great to see new businesses wanting to open here now and recognise our regeneration plans will drive positive change for businesses like Infinity Occasions, while big brands like Go Outdoors committing to Church Square Shopping Centre reinforces the bright future for St Helens town centre.”