What is the future of Westfield Street in St Helens?

With all kinds of independent businesses taking up shop along Westfield Street in times gone by, from cafes and jewellers, to bakeries and bookshops, the street has morphed more into an area designated for nightlife in recent years.

And while some cherished independent 'day time' traders remain, such as Burchalls bakery, Kaleidoscope Records, and 'Q Cafe (formerly Momo's), there have been lots of changes within the street's night time economy, which puts a question mark over the area ahead of St Helens' incoming £90m regeneration plans.

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Insomnia is one of several closed venues along Westfield Street (Image: St Helens Star) Despite Westfield Street's shift towards the nighttime economy, there have been several closures which have caused concern in recent years.

With Maloney's having its licence revoked in June following reports of violent disorder, this followed a list of other closed Westfield Street venues such as Empire, Eden, Kingdom (the former Punch Tarmeys), Insomnia, and The Wheatsheaf.

And while St Helens holds a Purple Flag status, noting the area as a safe place for a night out, there have been several violent episodes on the street, including a stabbing and weapons being brandished. 

Merseyside Police has also enforced multiple dispersal zones in the town centre because of repeated anti-social behaviour concerns, while the Home Office noted the town centre as being one of 12 violent crime hotspots across Merseyside, with many alcohol related crimes reported along Westfield Street.

There have been violent incidents along Westfield Street in recent years (Image: St Helens Star) However, although there are many closed venues up for grabs along Westfield Street, there is also an opportunity for significant change once the town's planned regeneration project starts to take shape.

With new homes, offices, retail space, a market hall and hotel planned to be constructed in the town centre, this should significantly boost the number of people who can visit businesses in a new-look town centre.

This has already been seen with the plans to turn the closed Kingdom nightclub into an 'American themed bar', while potential investors could follow in the same vein of other town centre venues such as the recently opened Tipsy Tap, Imperial Quarter, The Little George Quarter, 36 Bridge St, or the traditional Market Tavern.

With the Beechams building recently being transformed into a hub of luxury apartments, this is also hoped to shift attitudes around the street and bring more people into the town centre.

There could be the opportunity for Westfield Street to follow in the same vein as other town centre venues like the new Tipsy Tap (Image: St Helens Star) While the council's focus is on Phase One of the town centre's regeneration plans, Westfield Street is part of its long-term 'masterplan', with aims to retain the area as a "mixed-use, retail, and leisure developments".

With Westfield Street and the surrounding areas included in the 'Education and Entertainment' phase of the regeneration masterplan, there are plans to improve the look of the area and improve connectivity with the wider town centre.

Following the violent episodes on Westfield Street, Merseyside Police has also been cracking down on alcohol licences to improve safety in the area, with applications to extend opening hours refused unless there are "exceptional circumstances".

The transformation of the Beecham building is hoped to help shift attitudes about Westfield Street (Image: St Helens Star) A St Helens Council spokesperson said: “The bus station, hotel, new housing and market all form Phase One of St Helens Town Centre’s regeneration programme. Westfield Street is not part of Phase One but is included in the masterplan framework for future years.

“In the meantime, the Council’s Licensing Service and the town centre management team are actively engaging with business in the town centre including those on Westfield Street. 

"The night-time economy forum, a partnership between the Council and local businesses formed in March 2023 and is going from strength to strength. 

"They secured £200,000 of external funding from the Police & Crime Commissioner in December 2023 and for the last year they have been spending this money to improve safety and protect women and girls in the night-time economy. 

“This money funded a number of initiatives including a safe transport home project, CCTV cameras for taxi drivers, improved lighting at taxi ranks and night-time economy wardens. It also provided training for those working in the night-time economy. 

“The partnership is hopeful to hear soon that it will retain Purple Flag status. St Helens Town Centre was awarded its first Purple Flag award in 2022.

" It is an international accreditation programme that reward those who achieve safe and thriving locations at night for all users. Vibrant, night-time economies do not happen by accident.

"They are the result of continued innovation, curation, planning and partnership, creating a destination that delights.”