A MOVE to consolidate more retailers into Church Square Shopping Centre as part of major changes to St Helens town centre has been credited with increasing footfall and sales.
As reported by the Star, a number of shops have already moved from the Hardshaw Centre, which is due to be demolished as part of ambitious regeneration plans next year.
These include the likes of Shoezone, Bonmarche and Infinity Occasions.
Womenswear brand Select has also relocated to a more prominent position in Church Square.
St Helens town centre, like many other areas, faces significant challenges with its retail space. The growth in online shopping, edge-of-town retail parks and economic troubles are among the factors that have created a sense of decline.
The woes often result in a barrage of negativity for town centres, particularly in poorer areas such as St Helens, and it is evident that many Star readers remain alarmed by the plight of the area.
But there are some green shoots of recovery and positivity. With stores exiting the Hardshaw Centre it has shrunk the footprint of the retail space and there are signs this is benefiting some traders in St Helens.
Bosses at Church Square - which is owned by St Helens Council - say the results so far have been "very positive", adding that "both new and existing retailers [are] reporting an increase in sales and footfall".
The venue has also seen new shops open.
The Sports Traider Charity, which opened its doors to the public in April after taking the vacant unit at 17 Lagrange Arcade, has reported strong sales figures, with their busiest days coinciding with the outdoor market at Church Square.
In a statement, Lance Haggith OBE, founder of the charity and former Unsung Hero at the BBC Sports Personality Awards (2010), said: “We have received some fantastic support from everyone who has helped us to make this happen.
"We have only been open a short while and there have been so many people coming in to support the shop, which has been brilliant."
Meanwhile, Claire’s House, which moved across from the Hardshaw Centre, has also seen a big uplift in sales since relocating.
According to Church Square bosses, staff at the store have reported "seeing a younger demographic shopping with them". There has also been an increase in donations.
Tracey Allwright, head of retail at Claire House Children’s Hospice, believes the "success of the relocation highlights the positive impact of collaboration between the charity and the local community".
In further positive news for the changing town centre, the shopping centre has said River Island, a long-standing fixture at Church Square, has also reported "that their St Helens store is the top performing store in the UK for their type of store".
Meanwhile, British clothing retail chain Bonmarche has also noticed an increase in their footfall since relocating in February.
According to Church Square on April 19, Bonmarche reported their best days trading since opening in St Helens, taking over £4,000 in sales in one day.
Although the town centre still faces tremendous challenges, the positive reports have been welcomed by St Helens Council, with Councillor Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for business, economy and skills at St Helens Borough Council, expressing that the boost for traders is "part of our strategy to relocate the brands that residents love into the main shopping centre".
In a statement, she said: "As we prepare for the first phase of our town centre regeneration, it's good to see that footfall is strong, despite the very difficult economic circumstances facing residents and businesses.
“As we prepare to start the first phase of town centre regeneration it shows the potential for businesses to grow in our town centre, and that residents really value the mix of independent stores and national chains.
"The first phase, once complete, will further strengthen the offer available to visitors through new retail units and a new market hall, which will support a long-term sustainable future for retail in St Helens town centre.”
With a number of retailers still to locate from the Hardshaw Centre - as they remain in negotiations with St Helens Council, which owns the site - there remains the potential for further consolidation.
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