ANOTHER store has left the Hardshaw Centre ahead of its demolition later this year.

The shopping centre will be bulldozed once stores have moved, which is expected to be by the middle of near year.

Discount retailer Bargain Land is the latest business to shut its doors - and is directing customers to its sister store Discount Land in Church Square Shopping Centre.

A number of stores and stalls do remain in the indoor centre, including the likes Heron Foods, Alpha News, Womble Inn and Waterfields, though all are set to relocate in the coming months.

It is expected the shopping centre, which opened in the 1980s, will close towards the end of May 2024.

The likes of TJ Hughes and Bon Marche have already made the move to new premises, with regeneration leaders focusing on consolidating retailers into Church Square.

Further down the line the Hardshaw Centre will be bulldozed to make space for regeneration works, although the former M&S unit will be retained.

What is phase 1 of the regeneration strategy?

The Hardshaw Centre will be flattened as part of the first phase of the town centre redevelopment, which is a partnership project by the English Cities Fund and St Helens Council.

Phase one's plans involve:

A new bus station for St Helens

The creation of a new Gamble Square, the pedestrianisation of Bickerstaffe Street and the widening of Corporation Street.

Extensive demolition of the Hardshaw Centre and other key properties

Creation of new high spec offices

A 120-bed hotel

A new mordern market hall, with food and beverage stalls.

New homes - including apartments and family homes

New retail units to support independent traders and high street names

Extensive public realm works linking the new development to the train station, bus station and Church Square.