Earlestown scheme proposed to revamp high street shop fronts

As reported by the Star, £28m has been earmarked to transform Earlestown town centre, using £20m from the government's Levelling Up Fund and £8m from St Helens Council.

Submitted in March, the regeneration proposals centre around three main projects to reimagine the town's market square, restore Earlestown Town Hall, and make significant improvements to its train station.

Despite this huge sum planned for Earlestown, a historic market town that many perceive to be in decline, the council says that the financial settlement from the previous government has "fallen well short of what is needed to fund essential services".

This is why additional funding schemes are being looked into to drive further growth and investment in Earlestown, with a match funding scheme proposed to improve the look of the town's high street.

With Newton-le-Willows also set to receive £20m in regeneration funding, the proposed shop front scheme could be extended to sympathetically restore buildings across the wider area.

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A revamped Market Square and canopy is one feature of Earlestown's regneration plans (Image: St Helens Council) Although the full details of the scheme have not yet been released, it is believed that the council, or other partners, would provide a percentage of costs spent on improving shop fronts in and around Earlestown's town centre.

It is hoped that the scheme will encourage business owners and landlords to improve the look of their building to complement the wider regeneration works.

Alongside an improved market square, town hall, and train station, a better looking high street may make Earlestown a more attractive place for businesses and investors.

The shop front scheme is hoped to revamp the high street and encourage investment (Image: St Helens Council) A St Helens Council spokesperson said: "More than £203 million will be invested across a range of projects over the next three years across St Helens Borough, including in Earlestown town centre, as part of the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan which was approved by council in March 2024.

"While the council has pledged this investment to drive growth, the financial settlement from the previous government has fallen well short of what is needed to fund essential services, in line with other local authorities nationally.

"The council is therefore having to carefully review and prioritise all of its capital pipeline investment projects, but we continue to explore all possible funding solutions for important initiatives like the Shop Front Programme for Earlestown that would support our already committed town centre regeneration investment.

"Further updates will be provided on key developments as part of the Earlestown regeneration programme.

"In the interim, for business owners keen to invest sooner in their properties, we will continue to meet with them and potential investors to provide necessary advice and support."