Local firms steel themselves for St Helens Transport Interchange transformation

Article date: 11 February 2026

Webber NW Ltd, based in Knowsley, and NL Williams Group, who are headquartered at Westside Industrial Estate in St Helens, will play key roles in the construction of the new facility, which is set to transform travel for bus passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians across the borough.

The new St Helens Transport Interchange is one of the centrepieces of a 20-year regeneration vision being brought forward by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.

The local firms have been appointed by VINCI Building, the main contractor carrying out the works on behalf of St Helens Borough Council and ECF. Webber NW Ltd  reports directly to VINCI Building, while NL Williams has been engaged as a specialist subcontractor to Webber.

One of the region's fastest-growing design, fabrication and installation companies, Webber NW Ltd is a fabricator of carbon steel and stainless steel. The company offers comprehensive services from fire protection to building services and process engineering. It has previous experience with the St Helens town centre regeneration programme, having been involved in the careful removal and safe storage of The Millennium Needle - the 20-metre-high mirror polished stainless steel landmark installed in 2006. The Needle will return to a prominent location near the junction of Hall Street and Bickerstaffe Street as part of the redeveloped town centre.

A Webber NW Ltd spokesperson said: "As a local contractor, we're delighted to be involved in such a high impact and prestigious community project. Working alongside VINCI Building, with a common goal of achieving the best possible outcome for all stakeholders and end-users, we're committed to ensuring we do everything in our power to deliver our parts of the scheme successfully."

Founded in 1973, NL Williams is a multi-disciplinary organisation with over 50 years of experience in protective coatings, underfoot safety, and surface preparation. It provides services and products for projects across local authorities, rail infrastructure, civil engineering, healthcare trusts, and the nuclear industry.

Barry Williams, Managing Director, expressed excitement at being involved in this once-in-a-generation development: "St Helens has been our home for over five decades. While NL Williams supports projects across the UK, there's nothing quite like working on our own doorstep. We are proud to bring our decades of experience in protective coatings and surface preparation to this landmark local development."

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, has welcomed the local partnerships said: "It's fantastic to see so many local firms directly contributing to, and benefitting from, delivery of the town centre regeneration programme works as it's a commitment the Council made in the St Helens Inclusive Growth Strategy. As the scheme progresses, we'll have many more opportunities for local businesses to bid for work packages and be involved in supply chains as we deliver the exciting transformation of St Helens town centre.

Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager at ECF, said: "Working with established local companies like Webber NW Ltd and NL Williams is a key part of our approach to regeneration. These firms understand St Helens, they're invested in its future, and they bring exactly the kind of specialist skills and experience we need to deliver a world-class Transport Interchange. This is how regeneration should work - with local businesses playing a central role in shaping their community's future."

Martin Horton, Senior Project Manager at VINCI Building, said: "We're delighted to have two such highly skilled local firms as part of our delivery team. Their expertise and commitment to quality will be invaluable as we bring this state-of-the-art transport facility to life."

Once complete, the St Helens Transport Interchange will feature 11 bus stands (up from nine) to support the region's bus franchising plans, an enclosed concourse with real-time travel information for both buses and trains, step-free access throughout, and automatic doors at every stand. The facility will also include a Travel Centre, accessible toilets including a Changing Places facility, and secure covered cycle storage with improved wayfinding.

The surrounding public realm will be enhanced to improve connections between the Transport Interchange, St Helens Central Rail Station, and key landmarks including the Gamble Building, Theatre Royal, and the forthcoming Hampton by Hilton hotel. A new civic square, upgraded lighting, and high-quality landscaping will create a vibrant, people-friendly public space.

The £35 million Transport Interchange project is being delivered through £32 million from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), alongside £3.25 million from the Government's Towns Fund and contributions from St Helens Borough Council.

The Transport Interchange forms part of Phase One of the wider town centre regeneration, which will deliver a new Market Hall, a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 apartments, eight townhouses and 4,266 sq ft of modern retail space, all set within biodiverse public areas designed to support pollinators, native planting and climate resilience.

Further work packages will be announced via the project website: https://sthelenstowncentre.co.uk/local-suppliers/