Tyrers served the people of the town for 128 years until is closed its doors for the final time last year and now Luxor wants to create 15 apartments in the five-storey building. Tony McDonough reports

Planners in St Helens have given the go-head to a £1m redevelopment of the former Tyre’s department store in the town centre into luxury apartments.

Tyrers served the people of the town for 128 years until is closed its doors for the final time last year.

Now Merseyside developer Luxor wants to convert the 15,000 sq ft, five-storey building into 15 apartments plus commercial space in the ground floor and basement.

The exterior façade and features will be retained under the plans, with Luxor also undertaking essential repair work to the rear of the building and adding decorative exterior lighting.

The apartments, to be known as Luxor Lofts, will consist of nine one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom dwellings and will be solely for rent.

Work is expected to start this July with a completion expected by the end of this year.

Paul Nicholson, managing director of Luxor Group, said: “This is a major milestone achieved for this development.

“It will result in much needed high quality housing for St Helens as well as introducing a new brand to the town centre in the commercial unit.

“We are currently seeking offers for the duplex commercial unit and have successfully secured a wider planning use.”