Earlestown icon set for renewal as contractor selected

Article date: February 7th 2025

The restoration project is one of the centrepieces of an ambitious regeneration programme being brought forward by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse to revitalise this historic market town. Supported by a successful bid to the Government's £20m Levelling Up Fund, with £8m match funding provided by St Helens Borough Council, this ambitious project will see Earlestown Town Hall brought back to life with new community, office, and leisure uses. 

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth and Regeneration, said: "HH Smith & Sons bring invaluable experience and expertise to the restoration of this much-loved historic building, ensuring it retains its original charm, while being modernised for viable and sustainable use long into the future. 

"We see tremendous potential for the Town Hall to become a vibrant destination where people can visit, work, hold events and even perform in its wonderful hall space, enriching the town's unique character and offering lasting benefits to all areas of the community. 

"This announcement, which complements the Council's £1m investment in 2023 when external fabric repairs were successfully undertaken, represents yet another major milestone in Earlestown's regeneration programme, and we're excited to continue collaborating to create a facility that truly serves the needs of the local community for future generations." 

Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF, said: "We're excited to see the Earlestown scheme taking another step forward.  HH Smith & Sons has the experience and capability to deliver on our ambitious plans to bring Earlestown Town Hallback to its former glory and will deliver social value within Newton-le-Willows, having made commitments to local spend and by providing skills and employment opportunities." 

Phil Smith, Commercial Director at HH Smith & Sons, said: "As a contractor with strong ties to the local area, we are proud to play a key role in the restoration of such an important heritage site. This project will provide a boost to the local economy, and we're honoured to work alongside local contractors and suppliers in bringing it to life."  

The project - part of the wider Earlestown regeneration programme - will soon be underway following the securing for Listed Building Consents, with a comprehensive enabling works package that include a full strip-out of the Town Hall's outdated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, together with asbestos removal. HH Smith & Sons will collaborate closely with local antiques experts and skilled stonemasons to preserve as much of the original building as possible.  

Full works are set to start in Spring with HH Smith & Sons completing a full internal refurbishment designed by heritage architecture specialists Butress. Once complete, the building will feature community spaces that include the amazing performance hall, flexible workspaces, a new café area and courtyard garden, together with public toilets and a Changing Places facility.  

The main hall, a hub of entertainment for the local community for many years that was once graced by the Beatles in 1962 and has latterly been the home of Newton Amateur Dramatics and Operatic Society, will be brought back to life as a performance and events venue, complementing and developing Earlestown's evening economy.   

Throughout the project, the HH Smith & Sons has committed to utilising a local supply chain, workforce and merchants, as well as St Helens-based specialist stone masons, Stone Central. 

Sustainability is central to the design, with the upgraded Town Hall set to incorporate advanced mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. These will enhance energy efficiency and ensure effective heating and drainage for the building.