ST HELENS' Hardshaw Centre is facing up to its last Christmas.

The shopping centre will be demolished in 2024 to pave the way for the first phase of the £90m St Helens town centre regeneration plans.

So it will be the final curtain for the venue, which in its heyday was known for the likes of Woolworths, Marks & Spencer, Toy & Hobby and 'Kes' the snake.

Over the past year a number of stores have relocated to other parts of town. These include the likes of ShoeZone, Bonmarche and TJ Hughes.

Some stores still remain

But some shops and traders, do remain and will be there throughout the Christmas period.

These include the likes of Heron Foods, Womble Inn chicken barbecue, Alpha News, Bargainland, Cafe Zhino and Euro Change. A number of stalls also remain.

The list dispels some of the social media chatter that ]has falsely made out that the centre has also already shut.

Indeed, the centre continues to see a steady stream of customers as we head into Christmas.

Talks have been continuing between council chiefs and store bosses over relocation plans for the remaining stores ahead of venue’s demolition next year.

As the Star reported this week, TJ Hughes recently relocated to Church Square Shopping Centre.

The aim is to consolidate more retail into the Church Square area to boost footfall and the moves that have already taken place are said to have had a positive effect.

Ongoing talks

The Star understands talks are continuing with the affected stores to try and find them new homes, however, while the bus station remains in place on Bickerstaffe Street, the shops have been keen to remain because the location provides them with strong footfall.

But it is hoped they will make a move to Church Square – where there are vacant units – when the Hardshaw closes, which, it is understood, is likely to be early next year.

Where they locate could be dependent on where a temporary bus station is installed in the town centre.

Chalon Way, near to Church Square, is believed to be one of the options under consideration following talks between St Helens Council and Merseytravel.

The first phase of the £90m transformation of St Helens town centre is expected to include a new market hall flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bedroom hotel, 64 new homes and 10,915 sq ft modern retail space.

Town centre plans

More detailed plans for the development were submitted to the local authority this week.

A new, permanent bus station will also be built around the site of the current one.

St Helens Borough Council is working on a 20-year regeneration plan for the borough with the English Cities Fund, a strategic joint venture between Muse, Legal & General, and Homes England.

In the autumn, the Star reported how a planning inspector had ruled in favour of St Helens Council's Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) which will see the Swan pub demolished as part of the regeneration scheme.

The proposals to regenerate St Helens town centre moved a further step forward when the planning inspector acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in favour of St Helens Borough Council and its strategic delivery partner, the English Cities Fund.

The Inspector’s decision, following the public inquiry held in St Helens town hall in August, confirmed the council can use its compulsory purchase powers where private agreements cannot be reached.