Contract green light for Hardshaw Centre demolition in St Helens

Article date: 13 February 2025

VINCI will now press ahead with the initial works, which involve stripping out the interior before safely dismantling the roof, floors and exterior walls. The former shopping centre occupies some 169,000 sq ft of land on a plot set between Church Square, Hall Street and Bickerstaffe Street.

Over the past few weeks VINCI's team has been completing site investigations ahead of the demolition activity, with the enabling works package also including for the establishment of perimeter hoardings and ground clearance down to a depth of 2.5 metres in preparation for the construction phase.

The preparatory works will ultimately set the stage for construction of a stunning new Market Hall flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bedroom Hampton By Hilton hotel, 64 stunning new homes and 11,000 sq ft modern retail space, along with high quality sustainable public spaces.

The contractual agreement is between St Helens Borough Council, its regeneration partner ECF - a joint venture between Homes England, Muse and Legal & General - and VINCI Building.

Councillor Richard McCauley Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth & Regeneration at St Helens Borough Council, said: "This is going to be one of the most important years in the recent history of St Helens, paving the way for lots of positive change. We are delighted to be progressing our exciting regeneration plans by activating this element of the first phase contract with VINCI Building. There are lots of technical challenges when it comes to removing a large, landmark site like the Hardshaw Centre but our vision of restoring the town centre to its former glory and making it an attractive place for residents and visitors, is making another big step forwards."

The entire town centre regeneration project has a focus on sustainability and these principles are being applied to the demolition of the Hardshaw Centre. VINCI Building is targeting 96% - 98% by weight and volume for the recycling and reuse of the existing materials. This is by using planned demolition methods to ensure that reusable materials are maintained in good condition and suitable for reuse.

"The project has impressive sustainability credentials," said Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF. "That starts with the Hardshaw Centre demolition and will run through every aspect of the scheme, with the revitalised town centre featuring new public spaces, better walking routes, and places where nature can flourish in high quality landscaped areas."

The Hardshaw Centre announcement follows on from the activity announced around the redevelopment of St Helens Bus Station. VINCI Building will begin the staged process of demolishing vacant, acquired buildings around the existing St Helens Bus Station from 10 March 2025. The move will prepare the ground for work to begin on constructing the new St Helens Interchange and Gamble Square, in advance of the existing bus station fully closing in Spring 2025.  

Last year, St Helens Borough Council and ECF published plans to keep the town centre on the move and open for business during the once-in-a-lifetime regeneration works. The town centre 'Interim Movement Strategy' has been devised by the Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Merseytravel and ECF, working with public transport operators and included creation of a temporary bus hub on Chalon Way West that will become operational this spring. 

Full details of these changes and planned diversions for walking and driving routes have been published at a dedicated website www.sthelenstowncentre.co.uk.