Enabling works begin for Earlestown Market Square

Main contractor Eric Wright has commenced conducting surveys and drilling trial holes to ready the historic marketplace for a £30m revamp.

A revised market area is key part of the 20-year regeneration plans for Earlestown town centre hatched by St Helens Council and developer partner ECF – a partnership between Homes England, L&G, and Muse.

The Market Square project is supported by £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund as well as £8m in match funding from the council.

The scheme, designed by Jon Matthews Architects and Planit, will the marketplace turned into a flexible events space, with a new permanent canopy installed to ensure the market can operate regardless of the weather.

“Seeing Eric Wright on site this summer is a huge milestone for Earlestown,” said Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for regeneration at St Helens Borough Council.

“The preparatory works mark the beginning of visible progress that will lead to a transformed Market Square, ensuring we have the right foundations in place to deliver this ambitious project smoothly and effectively.”

Echoing McCauley’s words, Matt Whiteley, senior development manager at ECF, stated: “The works getting underway at the Market Square show real progress in our regeneration plans. We’re very excited to be able to deliver this stage of the project, which is an important step in allowing us to prepare properly and deliver long-term, sustainable regeneration that the town deserves.”

The market’s sister project, the extension and refurbishment of the grade two-listed Earlestown Town Hall, is also in the works. Under designs by Buttress Architects, there will be a courtyard garden and café constructed, as well as a series of community meeting rooms and flexible workspaces. Main contractor HH Smith & Sons is on site and set to complete the work by next summer.