There has long been a debate on what can be done to help breathe new life into struggling St Helens town centre.
Last month, the ECHO ventured out into the town centre to see what people believed could "save" the town centre. Answers ranged from free parking and free bus travel to certain stores being opened.
Since then, the ECHO issued the question directly to our readers. Reaching out on our St Helens Live Facebook page, we asked : "Are there any shops you would like to see in St Helens town centre?"
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One suggestion which came up multiple times was the idea of a Primark, with the popular discount clothes retailer pitching up in most towns up and down the country. Andrea Jones said: "Definitely needs a Primark! Would save a trip to Warrington, would much rather have one down the road."
While Debs Meara added: "There's two big empty stores at side of each other in town. They could be a good sized Primark. It would bring most St Helens people back. They would pay for car parks to go in. Then other stores would benefit from more people shopping. Primark has some good quality items. I've bought items from expensive stores in past. And it's not always the best quality."
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Joanne Madsen said: "It would certainly attract the crowds if it did."
Kelly Mccluskey Kay added: "It definitely does and it [Primark] would bring people into St Helens. You can see the town centre has potential. People have been asking for one for years. Shame no one is listening."
While other suggestions ranged from new shoe shops to unique clothes stores. Pauline Roberts said: "A big and tall men's clothes shop. We're a rugby town, lots of big men."
While Jen Fairclough said: "We need a decent shoe shop, children clothes shop. We don't need so many coffee shops that's for sure."
A popular view is that the loss of Marks and Spencer in 2019 was a major blow to the town. Carole O'Hare said: "A good fruit and veg shop in the centre of town is much needed also a more central supermarket, why they ever closed M&S to go on the retail park I'll never know. Unless you drive its difficult to get there, we want shops like that more central."
Mohamed Samer said: "Yes it's [Primark]a great idea, look at Wigan or Widnes or Warrington, already have a variety of stores and people go shopping or picnic. If there are Arab shops, oriental sweets or halal restaurants. For example. Diversification energizes the town."
Ann Johnson added: "We need more than one, Primark's a start, good shoe shop, fruit & veg, wallpaper and paint shop. Loads of suggestions needed."
Natalie Bridge said: "If we had one [Primark], I would definitely buy from it."
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