End of an era as date for closure of Hardshaw Centre confirmed

The shopping centre, which has served the borough since it opened in the spring of 1982, is set to be bulldozed as part of St Helens’ regeneration plans.

The Hardshaw Centre will be flattened (Image: St Helens Star)

It will be flattened under the first phase of the town centre redevelopment, which is a partnership project by the English Cities Fund and St Helens Borough Council.

The vast majority of stores in the Hardshaw Centre have been relocated to Church Square Shopping Centre. One Below, closing on Saturday, will be the final retailer to make the move, going into the former H&M unit.

The Hardshaw Centre in times gone by (Image: St Helens Council)

Enabling works will commence, stripping out the interior of the 115,000 sq ft Centre, disconnecting all of the utilities and installing hoarding to ensure that the site remains safe and secure, before the full-scale demolition of the main structure.

The closure comes shortly after St Helens Council unveiled details of the temporary bus station to be located at Chalon Way West as phase one of the town centre regeneration gets under way.

'A critical milestone' in town centre plans

Cllr Richard McCauley, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for inclusive growth and regeneration at St Helens Borough Council said: “We have reached a critical milestone in this exciting journey to create a more attractive, vibrant and sustainable future for St Helens town centre.

"Given that the Hardshaw Centre has been such a presence in our community, we are going through a period of change and renewal.

"A great deal of work has gone into reaching this milestone and we have launched our strategy to keep the town centre moving and open for business during this next delivery phase.

READ > Council reveals details of temporary bus station for during town centre regeneration

“We live in a very different world to the one that was envisaged when the Hardshaw Centre was commissioned in the late 1970s – a time before online shopping existed and out of town retail parks were commonplace. People have different expectations today. The best way of responding to these challenges is by investing in a proven model that brings town centres back to life, introducing a mix of uses that includes modern retail, leisure and other experiences.”

KES 'The Kid Eating Snake' slide was a feature of the Hardshaw Centre in times gone by (Image: St Helens Council)

The Hardshaw centre demolition will make way for the first phase development, with a 25,000 sq ft Market Hall flanked by a mixed-use area that includes 11,000 sq ft of modern retail space, 64 new homes and a 120 bedroom globally-branded hotel.

By re-imagining the space where the enclosed Hardshaw Centre currently stands, the project will create new public spaces and streets, better walking and cycling routes, areas for children to play and invite nature to flourish in extensive landscaped areas.