Planning application submitted for the revival of Earlestown Town Hall

Article date: 29th April 2024

These latest planning submissions follow last month's reserved matters proposals to revive Earlestown's Market Square - home to the oldest working market in the country.

The proposals would see the much loved and iconic Town Hall building reopened to the public with community meeting rooms, flexible workspaces and a new courtyard garden and café area, together with public toilets and a changing places facility. It's main hall - once host to a concert by The Beatles - will be brought back to life as a performance and events space, complementing and developing the evening economy in the historic market town of Earlestown.

Earlestown Town Hall, which has been closed since 2008, has already benefited from an extensive external restoration and the refurbishment and revival submissions follow a comprehensive public consultation at the end of 2023, which drew more than 240 people to public exhibitions and feedback sessions across Earlestown, Newton-Le-Willows and Wargrave. Responses demonstrated high levels of support, with 84% in favour of plans to refurbish the historic Town Hall.

Councillor David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "Local residents and businesses are keen for positive change to begin, and these designs for Earlestown reflect our ambitions to make this happen - and in a way that celebrates and builds on our proud local character and qualities.

"In Earlestown, the proposals for a much more attractive, user-friendly and flexible Market Square and a fully restored and reopened historic Town Hall will help to deliver the diverse, vibrant town centre the community deserves." 

Tom Ivinson, Development Manager at ECF, said: "Our proposals for the Town Hall reflect the quality we're committed to achieving in the regeneration of Earlestown. We want to encourage people from all walks of life to come and explore such a historic market town, and by providing a multi-faceted and sustainable community hub, we can create a valued asset for generations to come."

Separate proposals for accessibility and environmental improvements to Earlestown Rail Station are being developed by St Helens Borough Council with partners from the rail industry as part of the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 programme.  

Plans are being funded by a £20m grant from Round 2 of the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF) with £8m in matched funding provided by St Helens Borough Council, and are being brought forward by ECF, the regeneration joint venture of developer Muse, Homes England, and Legal & General.