Shoppers and traders have shared their views on the closure of a popular shopping centre.
The Hardshaw Centre has stood as one of the main shopping destinations in St Helens for 40 years, with the mall opening up as part of major town centre regeneration in 1982. St Helens Borough Council revealed in 2021 that the demolition of the centre would be a major part of these plans.
The feeling around the town centre at the news of the impending closure is mixed, with some failing to see the point in demolishing a well-loved centre, while others see the building as no longer fit for purpose- and welcome the proposed "masterplan" ideas put forward by the council.
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Kevin Duffy and Jack Ody have both lived in St Helens all their lives, and have witnessed the town through its heyday and into its current troubles. The pair frequent the George pub close to the Hardshaw Centre, with their views on its closure slightly different.
Jack, 77, told the ECHO: "I don't really see why it needs knocking down, but if all the shops and traders are re-homed, which I believe they are, then I don't see a problem. I think the new ideas they have could be good for the town but we'll have to see."
Kevin, a former bar manager who is also 77, said: "I don't agree with it at all, they also plan to knock down the swan- it's destroying part of the history of our town."
Just outside the Hardshaw Centre, traders once a week set up market stalls, catching the eye of shoppers who are on their way in our out of the shopping complex. Among these is Gary Todd, who has had his stall for eight years.
The 35-year-old feels that his business will be largely unaffected by the closure of the Hardshaw Centre. He told the ECHO: "It won't bother me, I'll hardly even notice unless the building work disrupts my pitch.
"What keeps us going is our loyal regular customers and they'll come rain or snow because that's what the market is about. But to me, some of the ideas don't make sense. They plan to build a hotel when there are existing hotels that are never fully booked.
"I just don't see the demand, as good as the rugby team are, there aren't thousand of travelling fans coming to town every weekend to warrant it."
One shopper who asked not to be named, feels that the building is no longer fit for purpose however, and could do with being replaced. They said: "Look around, the building is all tatty, and a lot of the shops weren't even open before they started moving them to Church Square, so it can't be any worse."
The demolition plans are part of St Helens Borough Council's "masterplan" of regeneration, which will take place over the next two decades. The proposed site affected by the plans comprises a large portion of the town centre.
Full planning permission was sought for the demolition of: The Hardshaw Centre, St Mary’s Shopping Arcade, market and multi-storey car park, 39-41 Hall Street (Swan Hotel and Town Fryer Fish & Chips shop) to the immediate east of the bus station and located within the George Street conservation area, all buildings in the block of retail units bounded by the bus station to the east, Bickerstaffe Street to the south, Library Street to the west, and Corporation Street to the north.
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning St Helens Borough Council added: “We’ll see a lot of change in the coming months across St Helens Town Centre as part of our plans to support businesses find new locations to make way for our exciting regeneration plans that will make St Helens town centre more vibrant with a new market hall, office, hotel and homes.
"It is also great to see new businesses wanting to open here now and recognise our regeneration plans will drive positive change for businesses like Infinity Occasions, while big brands like Go Outdoors committing to Church Square Shopping Centre reinforces the bright future for St Helens town centre.”
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