PLANS to install “communication hubs” in two areas of St Helens town centre have been submitted.

Applications proposing the installation of a “communication hub”, along with a defibrillator and advertisement display – on Bridge Street, and Ormskirk Street – have been put forward.

In a document providing information related to the applications, it says the application sites are located within the “commercial centre” of St Helens where “retailing and entertainment are the dominant uses and where people will see and use the communication apparatus”.

It also states that the context for both sites provide the “appropriate setting” for a hub unit and where the proposed units “would not appear out of place but would complement the public realm and enhance the experience” of people visiting the town centre.

It adds: “Unlike other communication apparatus across the town centre, the hub unit offers a range of publicly accessible functions which include free calls to landlines, free Wi-Fi, interactive wayfinding, direct access to local webpages, a 24/7 publicly accessible defibrillator and device charging.

“The communication apparatus also includes an advertised face on the reverse of the unit.

“It is recognized that all development needs to be carefully managed to avoid creating a plethora of discordant and unsympathetic furniture that detract from, rather than enhances the look and quality of the street.

“The applicant’s aim is to develop furniture that makes a positive contribution to the public realm through design, innovation and functionality.

“To that end, the applicant’s aspirations align with that of the council’s in supporting good quality design.

“The proposal in these applications is one step towards realizing the ambition of expanding the electronic communications networks in the UK, including next generation mobile technology and full fibre broadband connections available to all.

“The traditional role of the telephone box seems ill-equipped to keep pace with the modern digital environment and the hub unit is a modern expression of the public service, which supports a range of connective capabilities beyond voice calls.”