St Helens: Operator to 'curate a mix of occupiers' for market hall

A modern market hall is one part of the huge £90m regeneration project planned for St Helens, with the council also planning to build new homes, office and retail space, as well a new hotel and bus station in the town centre.

These plans aim to turn the fortunes around for businesses that have struggled with declining footfall in the town centre, but some traders have raised concerns about a lack of communication regarding the regeneration project.

Several traders in St Mary's market, for example, say that they are unsure of their future in St Helens and if they will be invited to form part of the new market hall.

The traders have also raised concerns about declining footfall, a lack of advertising, and the condition of the building.

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Traders have raised concerns about the lack of communication of the regeneration plans (Image: St Helens Star) Once Phase One of the council's regeneration project is approved and underway, it is understood that St Mary's market will be bulldozed to make way for residential developments in Phase Two, which will include a mix of townhouses and apartments.

Following the concerns raised by St Mary's traders, the council has said that a more detailed consultation will take place once planning consent for Phase One of the regeneration project is approved.

There are several empty units inside St Mary's market (Image: St Helens Star) The council also says that a market operator will be appointed to curate a mix of occupiers that will occupy space in the new market.

Designed at the centre of the council's town centre masterplan, the new market hall will provide space for 28 market stalls, with a variety of opportunities for retail, such as hot food, fresh food and traditional market stalls.

With entrances at each corner of the market, there are also plans for a spill-out space overlooking Church Square, as well as mezzanine space that will contain a seating area overlooking the activities of the market hall.

A modern market hall is a central piece of the council's regneration plans (Image: St Helens Council) A St Helens Council spokesperson said: “St Helens has a long and proud tradition as a market town, and a new market is at the very heart of the transformational scheme we are bringing forward.

“We conducted extensive community consultations prior to submitting the planning application for Phase One of the scheme, the outcome of which is due in the next few months. 

"During the process we received overwhelming recognition of the need to bring the borough back to its former glory and make St Helens town centre an attractive, vibrant, and family-friendly destination.

“We are currently in the process of talking to specialist consultants about the fit-out of the new market and the ideal mix of operators. 

"Once planning consent is secured, we can move to the next stage and have a more detailed consultation with St Mary’s traders.

“In due course a market operator will be appointed to curate the mix of occupiers going into the new market – but ‘mix’ is the operative word and it’s about having something for everyone. 

"There will be elements we haven’t seen before – pop-up stores, street food and entertainment activities to use the space in different and exciting ways.

“In the meantime our markets team is working with traders to support them in their current home.”