What Star readers want to see Wilko building turned into in St Helens

With the huge department store falling into administration in August and rescue deals failing to secure the whole business, this resulted in Earlestown's Market Street store and St Helens' Cotham Street store closing for the final time last month.

There were emotional scenes at both stores' final days as many staff had served their community from the discount store for decades.

READ > Man arrested after three car crash

Earlestown staff celebrating their Wilko careers (Image: Contributed)

Closures a huge blow to the high street

With the closure affecting Wilko staff and customers, the closures also come as a blow to the wider high street as big holes are now missing from both St Helens and Earlestown town centres - with the store guaranteeing a steady flow of customers.

As St Helens and Earlestown are both preparing for a wholesale regeneration in the coming years, it is hoped that eventually each premises will be utilised in a revived town centre.

However, when major stores have departed St Helens town centre in the past - from Woolworths to M&S and Tyrers, it has proved enormously challenging to find retailers to replace them.

With this in mind, we asked Star readers what they would like to see fill the empty Wilko buildings in St Helens and Earlestown.

Wilko has left a huge hole in St Helens and Earlestown (Image: St Helens Star)

Primark a constant suggestion for town centre

By far the most popular response to this question was that the units should be transformed into a Primark clothes store.

This has been a constant theme on social media over the years, with may residents believing that the giant clothes chain would encourage more shoppers into the town centre and give the high street a much-needed boost.

However, Primark has been evasive when the Star has previously put this question to the company, in spite of the desire of many residents.

A Primark spokesperson has previously said that while the business "continually review opportunities for expansion of the Primark", it would "encourage customers in the St Helens area to visit our stores in Liverpool, Warrington, Wigan and Trafford.”

A market hall is planned in St Helens Council's regeneration plans (Image: St Helens Council)

Food hall or shopping chain?

Another popular suggestion from readers was that the unit should be transformed into a food hall that could house independent traders.

While this is an interesting idea that could well create a vibrant town centre venue, a modern market with approximately 23 stalls, food and beverage outlets, a bar, and a performance area is included in St Helens Council's regeneration plans, which would cast doubt on this also happening in the Cotham Street unit.

Other readers suggested that the premises should be taken over by other chains such as H&M, HMV, Marks & Spencer or Home Bargains.

While these brands could also help to boost the high street, some of these suggestions would appear unlikely as H&M, M&S, and HMV have left the town centre over the years, and Home Bargains retains a large presence in the town's retail parks.

One suggestion, made frequently from town centre businesses, is the proposal that the B&M store at St Mary's Market could relocate there. Long-term regeneration plans will see that section of the shopping centre demolished.

The former Helena House building where Wilko now stands (Image: Contributed)
Other readers suggested that the unit could be transformed into a charity shop or a children's toy shop, while others pined for the old Helena House building, which occupied Wilko's former space as a popular department store and venue before it was demolished in the 1980s.

While no official details have been confirmed about what will happen to the huge Wilko sites in St Helens and Earlestown, the Star has contacted administrators PwC to see if any businesses' have enquired about taking over the space.

Although the units may be utilised by the time each town centre has been regenerated, it is hoped that the buildings do not lay dormant until then.