Earlestown's market-led revival and town hall refurbishment receive planning consent

Article date: December 11th 2024

The historic market town is home to the oldest working market in the country and a 125-year-old Grade II Listed Town Hall, which hosted an early performance by The Beatles.

Under the approved plans, Earlestown's traditional Market Square will be enhanced and upgraded into a stunning multi-use public square to support and grow the town's historic market long into the future. The market will be equipped with a new permanent canopy inspired by the landmark Sankey Viaduct, providing high-quality, sheltered trading space and the flexibility to host markets and other public events all year round.

Earlestown Town Hall will be extended and undergo a complete internal refurbishment before being fully reopened to the public. Designed by heritage architecture specialists Buttress, it will feature community meeting rooms, flexible workspaces and a new courtyard garden and café area, together with public toilets and a Changing Places facility. The buildings main hall will be brought back to life as a performance and events space, complementing and developing Earlestown's evening economy.

Three applications were granted approval by the Council's Planning Committee on Tuesday 10th December 2024, a Reserved Matters application for the works to the Market Square, a Listed Building Consent and a full planning application for the town hall. Construction is due to start in the first quarter of 2025.

In addition, the core town centre streets will be upgraded to create a public realm befitting a historic market town and encouraging footfall between the rail station and retail heart. This will include the introduction of street trees and landscaping features, new street furniture, widened footways, improved crossing facilities and spill out opportunities for retailers and food sellers.

Lisa Harris, Executive Director of Place Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "Earlestown is home to a welcoming passionate community, enviable assets in its historic market and beautiful Town Hall, and boasts some of the best rail links in the North West. We see amazing potential for it to grow as a place for people to live, work, shop, spend time and invest and these plans have been conceived to harness and enhance those unique qualities to benefit the town's residents and businesses long into the future.

"We look forward to sharing more exciting news about plans to begin works early in the new year."

Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF, said: "Approval of our proposals for both the Market Square and Town Hall signify the start of the next chapter in Earlestown's rich history. We're excited to see our plans come off the page and into fruition and look forward to maintaining and expanding our relationship with the local community, traders and businesses as we deliver a shared vision for the prosperity of Earlestown."

The plans are funded by a £20m grant from Round 2 of the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF) with £8m match 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.

The proposals are the first phase of investment in Earlestown. Further proposals for accessibility and environmental improvements to Earlestown Rail Station are being developed by St Helens Borough Council with partners from the rail industry.