The Hardshaw Centre - which stores remain and where will they move to?

In recent weeks Alpha News and Womble Inn have become the latest occupiers to relocate to Church Street, St Helens, providing a boost to the high street.

They've joined the likes of TJ Hughes, Bonmarche, Infinity Occasions and Shoe Zone, which have all upped sticks in a phased approach over the past year after the council - which bought the centre - gave notice of its intention to redevelop the site with regeneration partners the English Cities Fund.

The council has worked with the shops on the moves.

The Hardshaw Centre is almost empty ahead of regeneration plans (Image: St Helens Star)

Which stores remain?

But two significant stores, in the shape of Heron and One Below, still remain and both the discount shops continue to attract footfall.

Both will relocate, the Star understands, to Church Square Shopping Centre, and while a source has told the Star that the shopping centre will open until the end of July, this has not yet been confirmed by the council.

Heron is expected to move into the former Top Shop premises, while One Below could take vacant space where H &M used to be.

One Below and the empty space formerly occupied by Cafe Zinho (Image: St Helens Star)

Both retailers are thought to have been holding their ground while the bus station remains in Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens, because they attract a healthy number of customers who use the bus as their means in and out of town.

Once the temporary station is located at Chalon Way, as previously reported, the stores will feel much more confident they are nearer their customer base.

The moves will be in keeping with the relocations of a number of retailers to Church Square, where the plan has been to consolidate a main retail area.

Heron Foods also remains open (Image: St Helens Star)

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.

Church Square Shopping centre (Image: St Helens Star)

Phase one's plans include:

• 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
• 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.