Woman sells business stock after long delays of Foundry venue

With the 'Foundry' boxpark first touted in October 2021, Season Godbold, from Eccleston, thought it would be a "great opportunity" to launch her healing and crystals business in a new and vibrant location in the town centre.

As more details were announced following the £1 million deal with Steel Life Group Ltd in February 2022, Season believed that her business would be a great fit alongside the other retailers and food and drink vendors in the shipping container-style venue.

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A town centre boxpark has been proposed at the site of a former car park on Chalon Way (Image: Steel Life Group)
With dreams of launching her business in the new attraction, Season, who suffers from a joint hypermobility condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, began collecting a range of items that she thought would be perfect for her new unit.

Initially, it was claimed that the venue would be completed by summer and then autumn of 2022, but almost two years after it was first proposed, work has still not started on the project.

The developers have blamed the delays on the "cost of living crisis and structural issues", but say that groundworks will soon begin with containers "expected to be delivered to site in October".

Some of Season's accumulated products for her business (Image: Season Godbold)
However, for Season, the wait has been long enough as she has had to give up a storage unit she was paying for which contained all of the products she had bought for the business.

Season, a mum-of-one who first trialled the business in Skelmersdale, said: "It's just been promises, promises, promises.

"I was really excited about the business and agreed on a unit two years ago, but it's always just about to start, so I don't think it's going to happen.

"I live in an overcrowded house where I care for my mum, so there's no room for all of my business products.

"I put them all in a storage unit, along with other things from the house, but it's been costing me an absolute fortune, and I just can't afford to keep this anymore."

Some more products of 'Seasonz Sanctuary' (Image: Season Godbold)
As well as the lengthy delays, Season also expressed her frustration at the lack of communication from the council despite agreeing to a unit two years ago.

She said that she has not been updated with the project or its timescale, and although she was offered a unit to house the business on Ormskirk Street, she disagreed that this would bring enough footfall to sustain the business.

Season had to put all of her products in a storage unit due to the delays (Image: Season Godbold)
She added: "I was really excited for this business and really thought it would have worked, but there has just been no progress whatsoever.

"I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could do something like this, but in the end, I can't afford to keep all the stock and I've had enough of it - it's been a horrendous situation."

After selling the last of her crystals, oils, and other products, Season said that she is looking at new ideas to launch a similar business outside of the town centre.

Developers say that groundwork will still begin at the Chalon Way site (Image: St Helens Council)
In a recent update to the Star, Chris Lewis, Property Director at Steel Life, said: ‘‘We know people are really excited to see the development take shape and we’re very sorry that the economic climate and issues on site have delayed works.

"We’re looking forward to seeing The Foundry really coming to life. There has been great interest from local vendors wishing to rent a container and we will be in touch with all those that have expressed an interest in the coming days by email.

"With the involvement of these businesses we will deliver a vibrant and active zone to complement St Helens town centre.”