Readers react to plans to restore Cannington Shaw bottle shop site

As previously reported by the Star, a planning application was put forward by Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust last month to enhance and preserve the No.7 Bottle Shop, located on land next to the St Helens Linkway Tesco and the Totally Wicked Stadium.

First opened in 1886, the Grade II listed building is the location of what was once the largest glass bottle production facilities in the world, Cannington Shaw, and subsequently the home of United Glass Bottles and United Glass before closing in the late 1990s.

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What do the plans include?

A CGI of how the restored Cannington Shaw site may look (Image: Cannington Shaw CIC)

Cannington Shaw was one of several projects to receive funding from the St Helens Town Deal Board, which succeeded in securing £25 million for the borough from the Governments Towns Fund initiative.

The Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust's planning application states how they aim to change the use of the building into a mixed-use community, education, and event space.

Situated in a central location, there would also be new pedestrian access to the site as well as the siting of metal storage containers and a new terrace.

With "sensitive repair and restoration works", the building's features and oval architectural cone would be restored in the plans, while a new viewing tower is also proposed so that viewers can observe the former factory.

What do residents think of the plans?

The site has become dilapidated and overgrown since its closure (Image: Cannington Shaw CIC)

With the former bottle shop placed on Historic England's 'At Risk' register for the best part of 20 years, many residents are in support of plans to breathe new life into the derelict building.

However, there has been some apprehension from others in the community, who explain they will "believe it when [they] see it".

Jennifer Hatton said: "Best idea in a long time, our town's heritage should be saved."

Peter Critchley commented: "The town rightly deserves to have our glass making heritage preserved and this is great news for the borough and it's visitors."

Les Teeling wrote: "The best of good wishes for the work that's already been undertaken and for the future [of] St Helens. [We] need more projects such as this to attract more visitors."

Carly Robins said: "Anything that can help this town look better is welcomed. It's been in a state of neglect for years. The only emphasis has been more and more housing."

Lewis Atherton wrote: "The best idea I've heard for a while, get it done."

Peter Clayton said: "I'll believe it when I see it, just like all the other projects".

Maxine Blakemore commented: "Just add to the long list of "projects" [that have] never started."

'Forward momentum' of project

John Tabern (bottom left) and the Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust team (Image: Bernard Platt)

In a previous statement, John Tabern, chair of the Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust said: “The transfer of the No. 7 Bottle Shop to the Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust is a significant step in the forward momentum of this project.

“Combined with the award from the Towns Fund, it gives the Trust credibility in its endeavours to procure further funding for the onward development and future sustainability of the site.

“When it opened in 1886 it was revolutionary and at the cutting edge of developing technology, we at the Trust hope to return the bottle shop to that status with ambitious plans.

“This will require hard work from those involved, but I’m confident that we can achieve this.”

What's next for the plans?

Construction work can commence if the plans are approved (Image: Cannington Shaw CIC)

Since the planning application was put forward on July 14, official observations have been made from differing authorities.

This includes certain recommendations on the site such as environmental and access risk assessments.

The planning application is on a standard consultation to the public until Thursday, August 10, while a determination deadline has been set for September 8.