St Helens: Regeneration and transport interchange costs confirmed

Like many other town centres in the north, St Helens has struggled with the rise of online shopping and retail parks, the departure of big name brands, and declining footfall, with many agreeing that the town centre is in urgent need of regeneration.

After several false dawns, the council has put together a huge multi-million-pound transformation plan along with its partner, the English Cities Fund (ECF), which aim to build new homes, offices, a market hall and a hotel in the town centre.

A new transport interchange complete with a new bus station, improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, and a new 'Gamble Square' is also proposed, and due to a transformation project of this size, the costs have risen to an eye-watering sum.

READ > After years of delays, what is happening with the town centre 'box park'?

A n image of how St Helens town centre is projected to look following the regeneration plans (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF) With acquisition costs of town centre buildings adding to the bill of demolition and construction, the costs of the first phase of St Helens' regeneration project has risen to £134.3m.

£90.69m of this sum is planned for the wider regeneration plans, such as the construction of homes, offices a hotel and market hall.

As previously reported, St Helens Council has allocated £72.42m from its Medium Term budget strategy to pay for this sum, underpinned by loans from the Public Works Loan Board.

£7.24m will come out of the 'Town Centre Living and Regeneration' section of the Government's £25m Towns Deal fund, which will help to construct accommodation and retail space.

£3.25m will also be used from the 'Connected Places' section of the Towns Deal funding, to contribute towards the new bus station and public realm upgrades.

Another £800k has been earmarked through the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund to assist with reviving town centre brownfield sites.

At the Swan's CPO public inquiry in August 2023, the council said that any funding gaps can be clawed back through future investments and rents from new residential, retail, and office tenants.

£43.64m has been allocated for the transport interchange plans (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF) Although the costs of the town's new bus station was initially quoted as around £10.7m, the council has now confirmed that the costs of the wider 'Multi-Modal Interchange' plan will cost a whopping £43.64m.

This sum includes the construction of the bus station, the creation of 'Gamble Square' and pedestrian and cycling facilities, as well as acquisition costs necessary to implement the plan, such as the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the Swan pub on Corporation Street.

As previously reported, the Liverpool City Region has committed £32m for St Helens' transport interchange, with the combined authority signing off on more than £100m of transport projects in July.

The town's new bus station is planned to line up next to a new hotel on Bickerstaffe Street (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF) A spokesperson for St Helens Council said: "The first phase development of the St Helens Town Centre transformation programme is being delivered from a variety of funding sources.

“As with any development of this scale, duration and complexity, costs can vary through the delivery phase, but also new funding opportunities can arise.

"The costs and funding mechanisms associated with Phase 1 of the St Helens Town Centre Regeneration are therefore under constant review with our strategic partner, the English Cities Fund."

“The transformation of St Helens Town Centre is what residents have long wished for, as reflected in our Borough Strategy, and its delivery will bring a wealth of benefits for generations to come.”