A TOWN centre building will be reimagined by socially-trading organisations and partners from across the borough.

The former Catapult building, which runs up Haydock Street and round the corner onto Bickerstaffe Street in St Helens town centre, has been renamed the 'Street and a Half' building (SnA) and is the culmination of almost two years of work.

With the council collaborating with 'Kindred LCR' as well as local partners and socially-trading organisations (STOs), the building will develop a new offer for the social business sector to support and increase the growth of the social economy across the borough.

READ > Supermarket forced into closure after early morning burglary

The new space is designed to support and nurture social businesses and start-ups, and could support projects from active travel businesses to art or fashion start-ups, and from health and wellbeing groups to catering businesses.

With more than 40 people in attendance at the recent handover event, the group were well looked after by Café Laziz, a socially-trading organisation which works to support refugees and asylum seekers.

The move would appear the latest attempt to breathe new life into the area known as the George Street Quarter.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Burns, said: "We're delighted to have handed over the keys of this site to Kindred LCR who have a brilliant vision to revitalise this part of our town centre and provide great start-up and social enterprise groups the chance to develop and grow.

"While much focus is on the town centre transformation, projects like this are just as vital to our plans for inclusive growth, giving businesses at all levels the chance to shine."

Deputy Chair of Kindred, Helen Heap says: "SnA is a great demonstration of the work Kindred is embarking on, bringing buildings back into community use, through STOs. We know that 68% of the STOs we have invested in have an unmet property requirement that may restrict their growth, and this innovative plan from St Helens Borough Council shows what it's possible to achieve in partnership."      

Cllr Groucutt added: "Kindred LCR have done fantastic work across the region in supporting social businesses that not only provide vital services for the communities they're based in but also giving something back to them too. This fits in perfectly with our Inclusive Growth Strategy and the funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is helping to fund this transformational space in the heart of St Helens town centre that will also provide a great social place for people to work and collaborate."

Next steps for the space include an 'open house' event on Tuesday, September 24, while the official opening of the building launches on Thursday, September 26.

A family-friendly street party will celebrate the new development on Saturday, September 28.

To view the space or get involved, please email emmab@kindred-lcr.co.uk for more details.

Do you have a story you'd like us to report on? I cover the whole of the St Helens borough and surrounding areas - please email conal.cunningham@newsquest.co.uk