DEVELOPERS of a long-awaited town centre venue are looking for local suppliers to help get the project up and running.

After long and "unavoidable delays", the first containers arrived at the site of the former Chalon Way car park last month, which is planned to become a multi-use outdoor venue for food, drink, and retail traders.

With a new initial completion date estimated for Spring 2024, the 'Foundry' developers are looking for local contractors to get involved in creating the project.

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St Helens Star: The venue aims to host dozens of food, drink, and retail tradersThe venue aims to host dozens of food, drink, and retail traders (Image: Steel Life Group)
St Helens Council announced back in October 2021 that it was tendering for a box park style operator to add to its regeneration plans, with a £1million deal struck with Steel Life Group Ltd in February 2022.

Since this time, there have been numerous delays to the initial completion dates, which has been blamed on "ground conditions and utility connections", while one potential trader sold her stock due to the delays.

Despite the delays and criticism, Steel Life said that the delivery of the initial containers is a "signal to let St Helens know this exciting scheme will be delivered".

St Helens Star: The Foundry is planned to take shape at the former Chalon Way carparkThe Foundry is planned to take shape at the former Chalon Way carpark (Image: St Helens Council)
With the project hoped to boost the town centre's profile alongside the council's regeneration plans, the first 20 containers are expected to be delivered and ready to open by April 2024.

Phase Two will then follow later on in the year with up to a further 51 tenant spaces.

St Helens Star: Steel Life are looking for suppliers to get the project movingSteel Life are looking for suppliers to get the project moving (Image: St Helens Star)
Hoping to get the project moving, Steel Life are seeking the support from local suppliers in the following areas:

  • Landscapers
  • Container Manufacturing
  • Trade Glazing Manufacturers
  • Fit out Specialists / Carpentry
  • Electrician
  • Utility / Plumbing
  • Ground Works
  • Heras Fencing
  • Surveillance Security

Interested traders are advised to email taylor.phillips@phillipsconsult.info to find out more.