Creative community can help to deliver St Helens regeneration aspirations

We sat down with Angela and Jef to talk about what inspired the project, why they have their business in St Helens, what excites them about the town centre regeneration programme and how the creative community can play a key part in shaping the town's future.

Angela and Jef wanted to showcase the town through their work. Speaking to people in the town centre about plans, they noticed some negativity and wanted to change the narrative by focusing on what the town is offering that is unique and special whilst not ignoring the issues that people are facing.

Jef said:

"Sometimes it feels like we are hardwired to look for negatives whilst missing the positives that are on our doorstep. St Helens is a town of firsts - the first railways, the first canals, we have so much heritage in this area that we can build on. Everything around us is design and it's important to remember that creativity matters."

Angela added:

"A lot of the challenges we are facing aren't unique to St Helens; we need to look for solutions rather than reinforcing any negative messages. By focusing on the positives that already exist, and helping those areas to flourish, it helps both creatives and commercial businesses who are more likely to want to start and grow in a forward looking community."

When asked why St Helens is a great place to run a creative business Angela and Jef explained that a massive asset is the close-knit creative community that already exists here, led by artists who are passionate about the town and its future.

Angela said:

"We have a great community of artists and creatives here which spans a full age range of people and offers a really positive, nice environment."

Speaking of the regeneration in St Helens town centre there were a number of things that Angela and Jef were looking forward too, particularly new and modern facilities that will be of benefit to small business owners and how the regeneration could lead to further investment and opportunities opening up.

Jef mentioned access to spaces saying:

"You shouldn't have to move away to access what you need, there's so much potential here we just need to enable the right environment for small businesses to flourish. If you make creativity a focal point people will want to come here and stay here."

Angela agreed saying:

"If you start with the grass roots you can make real change. Our economy needs to be diverse; we need the large companies and big businesses that big investments attract, but our small businesses and creatives can help the place to thrive."

Speaking about the St Helens town centre regeneration plans Angela was particularly excited by what she's seen saying:

"I'm really excited for the performance space that's proposed in the new market hall, it's a real opportunity to bring people together through the arts."

Jef added:

"The plans we've seen look great and it's really exciting to see work starting to happen."

Our Town was commissioned by St Helens - Arts in Libraries (an Arts Council England funded National Portfolio Organisation) and delivered through St Helens Borough Council Library Service, thanks to taxpayers. The Arts in Libraries x Independents Biennial 2025 exhibition at The World of Glass was also funded and produced by St Helens - Arts in Libraries - showcasing their 2025 round of Creative Commissions. You can find out more about the Arts in Libraries programme here.

Our Town will be exhibited at The Godfrey Pilkington Gallery at The World of Glass between 7th June and 14th September find out more about the exhibition here

Angela Wilkinson is a Commercial Photographer who creates high quality images for businesses including Corporate Headshots, PR Photography and Event Photography find out more at www.angelawilkinsonphotography.com

Follow Jef on Instagram here Jef Gilgannon (@jfgilan) • Instagram photos and videos

Find out more about the World of Glass here