A former multi-storey car park is set to be transformed into a "vibrant city-style hub" after planning permission was granted.
Situated on the former Chalon Way multi-storey carpark in Foundry Street in St Helens, the £1m investment project will see 51 containers created, as well as outdoor cinema screens. Known as 'The Foundry', the leisure hub will have a stage and outdoor seating areas to provide business start-up, retail, and leisure units for independent businesses.
The plans are said to be a "great new venue" for the town and developers say they will create around 100 full-time jobs as well as other opportunities for young people. The project, delivered by Steel Life Group Ltd, complements the Imperial Quarter which is set to open this summer.
READ MORE: Three men on bikes spotted in street before police called to 'shooting'
With planning permission now granted, The Foundry is expected to be up and running this autumn.
St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning Councillor Richard McCauley said: "The Foundry will provide a much-needed boost to the town centre's visitor profile, attracting people from inside and outside the borough into St Helens ahead of this area being developed as part of £200m town centre regeneration plans by the council and English Cities Fund.
"With so many promising regeneration projects on the horizon, we want to keep that momentum going and give people a reason to come into town. We believe this attraction will do just that and is just the start of many exciting things to come."
Chris Lewis, Managing Director of Steel Life Group added: "We look forward to delivering new business jobs and community facilities which will enhance and breathe more life into the town centre and create an active use of the space. We are looking forward to creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs and working with local business including the World of Glass and the Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to working with the Council to deliver this site as rapidly as possible."
Elsewhere in the St Helens borough, planning proposals for the Earlestown town centre masterplan have been approved. This includes the demolition of buildings at the corner of Market Square and Stanley Street, with outline plans to build a market canopy over a section of Market Square alongside Haydock Street together with new retail kiosks adjacent to Wilko's on Market Street.
The plans also include public realm improvements focused around linking Market Square to Earlestown Rail Station and extending along Bridge Street.
READ NEXT:
Mysterious 'horrid' smell plagues Liverpool as people 'feel sick'
Man confronts colleague about message to his wife then gets battered with a hammer
Suspect named after double stabbing in Liverpool city centre
Cyclist killed by drunk paramedic identified through 'DNA from toothbrush'
