A look at the Hardshaw Centre over the years as it closes today

The shopping centre has been a fixture of St Helens town centre since it opened in the spring of 1982.

READ > Star readers share fond memories of Hardshaw Centre ahead of its closure

It is set to be bulldozed as part of the first phase of St Helens’ regeneration plans, a partnership project by the English Cities Fund and St Helens Borough Council. 

One Below, the last remaining shop in the centre, closes today ahead of its relocation to the former H&M at Church Square Shopping Centre.

During the construction phase, Trafalgar House’s Frank Hall (left), of Manchester, the project manager during the building of the Hardshaw Centre, being given a gold watch and a certificate for 25 years of service by his boss Terry Amos (Image: St Helens Archive Service)

Most of the stores that were in the Hardshaw Centre have been relocated to the Church Square centre.

The Hardshaw Centre has been a popular meeting place for locals (Image: Submitted)

Star readers have been sharing their find memories of the Hardshaw Centre from over the years.

Mayor Councillor Jim Caunce and mayoress Elsle with Trafalgar executives (Image: St Helens Archive Service)

It has been a popular meeting place for shoppers over the years and a focal point of the town centre.

KES The 'Kid-Eating Snake' children's slide was a popular feature in times gone by (Image: Submitted)

The Hardshaw Centre's demolition will make way for the first phase development of the town centre's regneration, 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.

Ahead of the closure of the centre, Cllr Richard McCauley, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for inclusive growth and regeneration, 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."