Full construction work on the £100m transformation of a Liverpool city region town centre will begin in early 2026 as senior councillors approve £69.7m cash injection. Tony McDonough reports
St Helens Council cabinet has approved a £69.7m cash injection that will trigger construction of the £100m transformation of the town centre.
Contractor VINCI Building has been on the 24-acre site since the start of 2025 completing a demolition contract and overseeing land remediation and enabling works. However, this latest decision means full construction can begin early in 2026.
Led by the council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse – phase one will create a new market hall, a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 apartments, eight townhouses and 4,266 sq ft of retail space.
Initial works will focus on replacing the former Hardshaw Shopping Centre. This will adjoin the new St Helens Transport Interchange and sit within landscaped areas designed to boost biodiversity.
Anthony Burns, leader of St Helens Council, said: “Everyone who cares about St Helens shares the belief that our town centre deserves to be restored to its former glory. This is more than a development project – it’s a shared vision for the future of our community.
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“VINCI Building will play a key role in helping us celebrate our heritage while future-proofing our buildings, public spaces, and transport so they meet the needs of generations to come.
“Getting to this point has required us all to dig deep through an extensive enabling phase. Now, together, we move into a far more exciting stage, where the outlines of new buildings will begin to shape the skyline and bring our vision to life.”
VINCI Building will prioritise working with companies within the borough and sourcing locally as part of the supply chain, while creating skills, training and employment opportunities for local people.
The redevelopment supports the council’s Inclusive Growth Strategy, with phase one expected to generate 485 new jobs and £23.2m in annual GVA.
Phil Mayall, director at ECF, added: “This is a hugely ambitious and multi-faceted regeneration project that will deliver a family-friendly, attractive, and sustainable town centre, with places for local businesses, shoppers, visitors, and residents to thrive.”