St Helens: Side Walk 'lucky' to have regular clientele after 38 years

First launching back in 1986, Sidewalk was first opened by Mark and Phil Jackson's parents and the business has long been a staple of St Helens town centre.

Selling a wide range of high-end menswear brands, Sidewalk has been passed through the generations with Mark and Phil at the helm in recent years, while Phil's son James also works at the menswear store.

And following Sidewalk's expansion into a larger premises in Church Square 16 years ago, it has retained its valued reputation despite the challenges that have faced the town centre.

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Inside Sidewalk menswear shop on Church Square (Image: St Helens Star)
With Sidewalk opening long before online shopping and retail parks were so prevalent, the business has had to adapt to changing trends in recent years, and battle with declining footfall in St Helens.

Tucked away behind St Helens Parish Church, the business has relied on the reputation it has built up over the years and the customers who continue to come out especially for the store.

And while the business has struggled with low footfall, the Jackson family hopes that the £90m regeneration plans that are set to take place in the town centre will benefit their business in the long run.

Phil and Mark outside Sidewalk following its expansion in 2009 (Image: St Helens Star)
James, who started working at Sidewalk four years ago, said: "There isn't enough things to attract people into the town centre at the moment, and people have gotten used to going elsewhere, such as city centres or retail parks where you can park for free.

"There are some really good people in St Helens so it's hard to see the town centre struggling, but hopefully the council can get it right with the regeneration because the town definitely needs investment and looking after.

"There is a lot of competition for menswear shops, which is why we have never gone online, so we are really lucky to have built up such a loyal customer base, who visit us for our high quality or niche brands."

Sidewalk prides itself on high quality and niche brands (Image: St Helens Star)
Sidewalk is located on Church Square and is open seven days a week.