Next stage of works is now under way on the transformation of a Grade II-listed Liverpool city region town hall, originally built in Victorian times, as part of a £30m project. Tony McDonough reports
Work on the internal transformation of a Victorian town hall in St Helens is getting under way.
In late 2024 St Helens Council approved the full restoration of Earlestown town hall, a Grade II-listed building that was originally completed in 1893 at a cost of £10,200 (almost £1.2m in today’s money).
External restoration of the building is complete and now Manchester contractor HH Smith & Sons is embarking on the internal works that will create community meeting rooms, an events space, flexible workspaces and a new courtyard garden and café.
Its historic main hall is also set to be brought back to life as a performance and events venue. Works are scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.
This is part of a wider £30m project that will also see Earlestown’s public spaces and market square transformed into a multi-use public square to support and grow the town’s historic market.
St Helens Council and partners from the rail industry are also developing proposals for accessibility and environmental improvements at Earlestown Rail Station as part of the Levelling Up Programme.
This scheme is funded by £20m from Round 2 of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, alongside £8m match funding from St Helens Council. It is being brought forward by the council and ECF – a partnership of Homes England, L&G, and Muse.
The council has also secured £1.113m in grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
It will fund the replacement of the town hall’s existing heating system with air source heat pumps and complementary measures such as modern insulation, LED lighting, lighting controls and an upgraded electricity supply.
One of the key figures leading the project for HH Smith & Sons is St Helens-born site manager Barry Stenson, who lives in the Nutgrove area of Thatto Heath.
He said: “We’ve been busy undertaking key works to ready this beautiful building for its refurbishment. That included removing old plumbing, drainage and electrical systems that were no longer fit for purpose.
“It’s about sensitively restoring an historic building so it retains its original charm while being practical and suitable for new uses today and into the future.”
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Barry, who is married with two children and a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby League Club, said working on such a landmark project in his home borough brings particular pride.
“St Helens is my hometown and it’s fantastic to see investment finally coming into the area,” he added. “I feel I have a valuable role in driving the scheme forward.”
HH Smith & Sons is committed to a social impact charter, which includes local spending, job creation and community engagement in St Helens borough.
The firm will offer up to 20 weeks of training for two young people, provide work experience opportunities for local students, create new job starts, facilitate site visits for local schools, and make a donation to a local community organisation within Earlestown.
It has already collaborated with local antiques experts as well as St Helens specialist stone mason, Stone Central, to preserve as much of the original building as possible.