WHILE many accept that St Helens town centre is in urgent need of regeneration, there is often a sense of scepticism and negativity around the multi-million-pound plans that aim to address this.

With several big-name businesses leaving the high street in recent years, and the remaining shops battling with retail parks and online shopping, St Helens Council has worked with the English Cities Fund to advance a £90m plan to transform the town centre.

After lengthy discussions and public consultations - and the false dawns of previous regeneration projects - the £90m plans finally got off the mark this month with the closure of the Hardshaw Centre.

Following the planned demolition of the town's shopping centre this autumn, construction work will begin on bringing a modern market hall, 64 new homes, retail space, and a 120-bedroom hotel into the town centre.

And while not everyone agrees with every aspect of the plans, business owners have urged people to get behind the vision and support independent businesses in the intermediate years.

READ > New store to open in St Helens following relocation

John Burchall outside the famous Westfield Street bakeryJohn Burchall outside the famous Westfield Street bakery (Image: Eddie Hoffman)
Working at the famous Burchalls bakery since 1975, and taking over the business from his dad in 1995, John Burchall remembers when St Helens, Westfield Street, and the Hardshaw Centre were booming with trade.

Over the decades, John has witnessed many businesses leave St Helens for good and admitted that there has been a "big drop off" in custom at the bakery.

While John agreed that the town centre is in urgent need of improvement, the business owner was unsure that certain aspects of the plans, such as new apartments and a hotel, will fix the decline and provide a shot in the arm to struggling businesses.

However, the business owner hopes that the multi-million-pound investment does pay off and that people continue to support businesses across the town centre while construction works are ongoing.

The £90m regeneration plans have started with the closure of the Hardshaw CentreThe £90m regeneration plans have started with the closure of the Hardshaw Centre (Image: Eddie Hoffman)
While Ant Georgiou also accepted that businesses, such as his own, have struggled with low footfall in St Helens, the restaurant owner stressed that a multi-million-pound investment is something that businesses have been crying out for for years.

Now that this investment is finally coming, Ant underlined the importance of people supporting the town during and after the regeneration project.

Ant behind the counter at 36 Bridge StAnt behind the counter at 36 Bridge St (Image: Eddie Hoffman)
Ant, who recently spoke to the Star about the rebranding of his restaurant Vigour to 36 Bridge St, said: "I'm fully behind the regeneration plans because we need this investment.

"We've been here for seven years and have had some great support from our regular customers and on social media [...] but we have struggled with footfall and getting people in off the street in St Helens.

"This is why the investment is so welcome because it should bring more people into the town centre, and help all independent businesses to flourish.

"There are some amazing independent businesses that are helping to prop St Helens town centre up at the minute, but it is going to be tough in the next few years while the construction gets underway.

"It would be amazing if there was a bit more support for independent businesses from the local community, because this will help sustain these venues before things get better in the town centre.

"As I always say to people, what's here today isn't promised tomorrow, and the decisions where people choose to spend their money has a huge impact on what the future holds for many independents."

Eddie with his partner Helens and his sons Ryan and Zack inside Louis Williams jewellersEddie with his partner Helens and his sons Ryan and Zack inside Louis Williams jewellers (Image: Eddie Hoffman)
After Ant posted a similar message on social media, many people agreed with the business owner and shared their thoughts about the need to support local businesses.

Eddie Hoffman, owner of Louis Williams jewellers, said: "We as individuals and independents always support each other through recommendation and supporting each other’s businesses in one way or another.

"There are some amazing independent businesses in St Helens and if we don’t use them we may lose them."