Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of major Earlestown Market Square and High Streets transformation
A major milestone in the regeneration of Earlestown town centre has been reached as partners and stakeholders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark the start of works on the transformation of Earlestown Market Square and improvements to the surrounding public realm.
Article date: 17 February 2026
This landmark regeneration forms part of a long-term programme being delivered by St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse - backed by £20m from the Government's Levelling Up Fund and £8m match funding from the council.
The ceremony follows the formal appointment of the Eric Wright Group last year as main contractor, signaling the transition into full construction of this landmark regeneration project.
Since their appointment, Eric Wright Group have completed a series of enabling works to prepare the site for construction. These included surveys and trial holes, the removal of selected street furniture and trees, and preparing the Market Chambers building for use as contractor temporary site accommodation.
Construction works began on site in January 2026 to allow the market to remain operational in its Market Square location throughout the busy Christmas season. This followed extensive engagement with market traders and the local community who made this request.
During construction, Earlestown Friday Retail Market and Saturday Flea Market will continue to operate from a temporary location along Market Street, ensuring continuity for traders and customers alike. Upon completion of the works, the market will return permanently to a reimagined Market Square.
The improvements will transform Earlestown's historic Market Square into a high-quality, flexible public space designed to serve the town for generations to come. A new permanent canopy, inspired by the nine arches of the Sankey Viaduct, will provide sheltered trading space and create a distinctive venue capable of hosting a wide range of public events throughout the year.
Work is also continuing nearby on the Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall, where HH Smith & Sons is delivering refurbishment and extension works, due for completion in summer 2026.
Together, the schemes form part of a wider 20-year regeneration plan being delivered by ECF in partnership with St Helens Borough Council, aimed at creating successful, sustainable town centres in Earlestown and St Helens.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council, said:"Market Square is central to the life of Earlestown, and today's groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the town. This project will create a vibrant, high-quality space that supports local businesses and community life, while respecting the town's heritage. Listening to traders and residents has been fundamental to shaping the programme, and we're committed to keeping people closely involved as works progress."
Sam Wilson, Project Manager at ECF, said:"Today's ceremony is a proud moment for Earlestown. Breaking ground on site shows that our long-term plans are becoming reality, and we're another step closer to delivering a town centre that is welcoming, resilient and sustainable for the future."
Paul Corner, Senior Project Manager at Eric Wright Group, said:"Breaking the ground here at the Market Square marks the start of this key phase in the project. We are committed to delivering a high-quality transformation along with continuing to work closely with the community as we progress through the project stages"
David Baines, Member of Parliament for St Helens North, said:"This is a hugely important moment for Earlestown and for everyone who cares about the future of our town centres. For generations, Market Square has been at the heart of community life here - and this investment ensures it will continue to thrive for decades to come.
"Thanks to the commitment of our council and its strong partnerships - backed by government funding - we're seeing real, visible progress on levelling up our area. This transformation will not only create a vibrant space for traders, shoppers and families, but also support local businesses, create jobs and help build a bright and exciting future for Earlestown."