Beloved Hardshaw Centre cleaner bows out after 21 years

From her early days when the centre was bustling full of shops, through to the pandemic when she often worked single-handedly, and right up until the emptying final days, Karen Hall has been an ever-present friendly face at the Hardshaw Centre.

With countless special encounters over the past two decades, her acts of kindness have won her many plaudits with colleagues, shoppers, and staffers, but with a “heavy heart”, the mum-of-two completed her final shift on Friday, August 2.

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The Hardshaw Centre will close for the final time on August 3 (Image: St Helens Star)
While Karen has many happy memories at Hardshaw Centre, her career has been cut short as the shopping centre has been earmarked for demolition in St Helens Council’s regeneration plans.

The shopping centre, which enjoyed many busy years after it launched in the 1980s, will be replaced by a new modern market hall, 64 new homes, retail space, and a 120-bedroom hotel.

The Hardshaw Centre will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, August 3; a closure that Karen feels is “extremely sad”.

Karen has been a friendly face at the shopping centre for 21 years (Image: St Helens Star)
Karen, 62, said: “It does feel extremely sad that the shopping centre isn’t going to be here for much longer.

“I remember it being massively busy when I first started, full of shops and customers, and I’ve had so many happy memories here.

“I’ve met so many lovely people, and I can’t thank everyone enough for all the gifts and cards that I have been given; it really has been a bundle of love.”

Karen won a BBC 'Make a Difference Award' in 2022 (Image: Karen Hall)
With Karen keeping the Hardshaw Centre safe and clean for more than two decades, and working straight through the difficulties of the pandemic, she won the Key Worker award at BBC Merseyside’s ‘Make a Difference Awards’ in 2022.

The award also recognised how Karen is known to help any customer or shop worker with anything they need; from general assistance or extra support, to giving away spare change for a taxi or having a five-minute chat with lonely people.

While Karen doesn’t believe this is anything out of the ordinary, these acts of kindness are what has made her such a popular figure at the Hardshaw Centre.

Karen's family came to mark her final shift with balloons and cards (Image: St Helens Star)
“I’ve always thought that you should give people a little time, and help them have a little smile”, Karen added.

“I didn’t think that I was doing anything special, but it's been fantastic to see so many customers over the past few days - and it’s these people and my colleagues who I will miss so much.”