Historic investment approval sets stage for delivery of St Helens Town Centre transformation
St Helens Borough Council has confirmed one of the largest investments in its history, committing £69.7m to the earliest possible delivery of phase one of the once-in-a-generation project it is bringing forward with ECF, its regeneration partner.
Article date: 8 December 2025
The decision, made at a cabinet meeting, paves the way for VINCI Building to commence the main construction phase in the New Year. Since the start of 2025 VINCI Building has been on the 24-acre site, completing a demolition contract and overseeing land remediation and enabling works.
The new-build construction works cover phase one of the transformational project, replacing the former Hardshaw Shopping Centre with a reimagined central district featuring striking new buildings, welcoming community spaces, and climate-resilient landscaping.
St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse - are delivering a first phase development scheme centred around a stunning new market hall, flanked by a mixed-use area including a 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 apartments, eight townhouses, and 4,266 sq ft of modern retail space.
These will adjoin the new St Helens Transport Interchange and sit within richly landscaped areas designed to boost biodiversity, with pollinator-friendly planting, extensive greenery, and improved walking, cycling, and wheeling routes. The scheme will deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain of more than 1,000% and will feature play equipment and public art to create a family-friendly town centre.
Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "We are proud to make this commitment and take another significant step toward the start of main construction works on site. Everyone who cares about St Helens shares the belief that our town centre deserves to be restored to its former glory. This is more than a development project; it's a shared vision for the future of our community. VINCI Building will play a key role in helping us celebrate our heritage while future-proofing our buildings, public spaces, and transport so they meet the needs of generations to come. Getting to this point has required us all to dig deep through an extensive enabling phase. Now, together, we move into a far more exciting stage, where the outlines of new buildings will begin to shape the skyline and bring our vision to life."
Phil Mayall, Director at ECF, said: "This is a hugely ambitious and multi-faceted regeneration project that will deliver a family-friendly, attractive, and sustainable town centre, with places for local businesses, shoppers, visitors, and residents to thrive. VINCI Building has the capability to deliver against our ambitions, which are based around a highly sustainable, future-facing town centre, and has an approach that is already producing positive social impact in the community.
"As a partnership, ECF is committed to delivering places that are totally authentic to their location, that respect heritage and aspirations for the future, while at the same time providing opportunities for all to prosper. We're looking forward to continuing our collective momentum in St Helens as construction begins in 2026."
John Roberts, Managing Director of VINCI Building, said: "This project will deliver transformational change for St Helens town centre and VINCI Building welcomes the opportunity to use our expertise to ensure the project achieves its highly laudable aims. Across our project team, we have people who live in St Helens and have a personal stake in the future of the borough. The social value work we are already delivering is adding value within the community, and we are delighted to have been entrusted by ECF and St Helens Borough Council with placemaking at a scale that will make a hugely positive difference for future generations."
Aside from the commitment by St Helens Borough Council, the project also benefits from UK Government support, including £7.24 million through the Town Deal and £0.812 million from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund to enable new housing.
VINCI Building will prioritise working with companies within the borough and sourcing locally as part of the supply chain, while creating significant skills, training, and employment opportunities for local people. The redevelopment supports the council's Inclusive Growth Strategy, with phase one expected to generate 485 new jobs and £23.2 million in annual Gross Value Added (GVA).
VINCI Building will also work to bespoke sustainability strategies for each building, developed by St Helens Borough Council and ECF, anchored on five key themes: Net Zero Carbon, Enhancing Biodiversity, Social Value, Circular Economy, and Health and Wellbeing.