Earlestown: Regeneration plans submitted to 'revive former glory'

The £28m plans to transform Earlestown town centre was submitted on March 1, using £20m from the government's Levelling Up Fund and £8m from St Helens Council, and they provide details on the strategy, design, and objectives for the proposed regeneration.

With market traders and business owners concerned about the decline of the historic town in recent years, the proposals provide an "aspirational long-term vision" that will "catalyse the delivery of transformational change" in Earlestown town centre.

READ > Family bar reaching tenth anniversary after 'perfect storm' of challenges

Aim and vision of the plans

The plans look to build on the history of Earlestown's traditional market (Image: Newton and Earlestown Community Group)
As previously reported, the Earlestown regeneration bid has been centered around three main projects to reimagine the town's market square, restore Earlestown Town Hall, and make significant improvements to its train station.

In an online design and access statement, developers say that the aim of Earlestown's regeneration is to "deliver a diverse, vibrant and animated town centre" that people want to visit and spend time in.

With Earlestown market believed to be one of the oldest standing markets in the country, the plans look to support existing market traders and create an all-weather canopy, while also looking to introduce a "wider mix of uses" to diversify its traditional retail offer.

There is also the aim to "positively change the perceptions of the town centre" by holding a range of activities and events, as well as the wish to "encourage a strong food and beverage offer to support the creation of an evening economy".

The proposals look to open up market square as a modern setting (Image: St Helens Council)
With any future infrastructure works in the town centre, there is an emphasis to "draw upon the heritage" of the area to "celebrate the identity of Earlestown and create a sense of place and local pride".

There is also the intention to maintain clear views of historic buildings such as the Town Hall and the market square memorial, with connectivity around the town centre also looking to be improved.

With few dwelling spaces in the town centre, there is also the intention to create spaces such as play areas for children and safe spaces to relax.

A statement included in the planning document states: "[The vision is] to transform Earlestown back into a thriving and bustling market town.

"To reconnect the local community with its historic context and to look forward to a bright future of prosperity and pride with resilience in the town to adapt to the evolving needs of the local community".

Market Square and canopy

An artists impression of a new market square (Image: St Helens Council)

With Earlestown's market square the "natural centre" of the town centre, the plans place a large focus on the transformation of this area.

To create a market that can operate in all weathers and all-year round, one of the main proposals is to construct a covered market space and canopy in the market square.

The canopy will provide space for 60 market traders to operate, and will act as a covered extension of the market square on non-market days, with Altrincham's market canopy used as a reference point.

The canopy will allow sunlight into the space below and its design will "draw inspiration" from heritage sites such as the Sankey Viaduct and the Victorian carriage and wagon works.

The canopy is proposed to house 60 traders (Image: John Mathews Architects)
The new market square will also provide space for 40 uncovered stalls as well as off site public toilets, with parking spaces believed to be off the square.

The existing building to the west of the Market Square, which currently houses public toilets, will be demolished to provide space for landscaping and seating areas.

The redesigned market square will include also grid patterns referencing the Sankey Viaduct's Nine Arches, paying homage to the world's first railway viaduct in Newton-le-Willows.

The plans look to reference heritage sites such as the Sankey Canal's Nine Arches (Image: St Helens Council)
The planning application also includes proposals to create more dwelling space and play features to encourage more usage of the square, with the "flexible" space also having the potential to hold special events.

There are further plans to plant trees and "green the edges of the square", which will improve the area's biodiversity, while also installing "key gateways" to allow greater access into the square.

Vehicle access, which has been a concern for current traders, will be controlled through "vehicle restraints", such as raised planters, seating blocks, street trees and fixed bollards. This is to make sure that the square will "feel and operate as a secure and flexible space".

A proposed play area in market square (Image: St Helens Council)
Throughout the plans, whether it be new infrastructure, play facilities, or public art, there are repeated references to celebrate the identity, history, and heritage of Earlestown.  

Summarising the market square plans, a design statement reads: "The driving concept is to embrace the existing market and provide stall holders with a higher quality covered destination to create a higher quality trading environment, whilst improving the opportunities to diversify the market offer and deliver an exciting events calendar."

Public reception and moving forward

Work on Earlestown Town Hall and railway station will follow initial plans (Image: St Helens Council)
Following a public consultation at the end of 2023, more than 240 people were said to have given feedback at public exhibitions and feedback sessions across Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows and Wargrave.

This feedback is said to have had 80% of people stating that they were in favour of the proposed new Market Canopy and 84% being supportive of plans to refurbish and reopen Earlestown’s historic Town Hall. 

Three-quarters (73%) of respondents stated that they believed the plans would benefit the town and more than two-thirds (68%) said that they were likely to spend more time in Earlestown as a result. 

If the planning applications are approved, construction work would begin in summer 2024, with Earlestown’s weekly market confirmed to remain operational throughout the construction period.

Further proposals to refurbish and repurpose of Earlestown’s Grade II Listed Town Hall will follow this submission with a Listed Building Consent application.

Accessibility and environmental improvements to Earlestown railway station are also being developed by St Helens Council with partners from the rail industry.