Visible signs of redevelopment as cranes rise over town centre
Work on the long-planned transformation of St. Helens town centre has reached a highly-visible stage, with two tower cranes now in place above the site. The cranes, both standing at 22.5 metres, mark the start of on-site construction for the first phase of a multi-million-pound programme intended to reshape the town centre over the coming years.
What is being built
The cranes will assist in forming concrete frames for a new 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel and a separate building containing 56 apartments. The first phase also includes new retail and leisure space, significant public-realm improvements and the forthcoming St Helens Interchange.
- Hotel: 120 bedrooms (Hampton by Hilton)
- Residential: 56 apartments
- Other works: retail and leisure units, public realm, new interchange
Partnership and contractors
The regeneration sits at the heart of a long-term partnership between St. Helens Borough Council and ECF, a joint venture that brings together Homes England, Legal & General and Muse. The overall programme is described as a £100m-plus scheme to attract residents, visitors and business activity back into the town centre.
Main contractor responsibilities sit with VINCI Building, while the cranes were supplied to site by Mayo. The models in use are the Wolffkran WK 235B and WK 166B, the first tower cranes to be assembled in the town centre for this project.
"You only have to look up to see the scale of what’s happening in St Helens town centre...this is the next step in delivering a town centre that we can all be proud of," said Councillor Jack Benyon, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, property and planning.
"The sight of tower cranes on site in the town centre is a powerful reminder of the vision we share for the future of St Helens," added Matt Whiteley, senior development manager at ECF.
Local impact and next steps
For residents, the arrival of cranes provides the clearest indication yet that the regeneration is moving from planning and preparatory work into construction. That will bring short-term disruption from building activity, deliveries and site hoardings, but project backers say it will also create jobs and new commercial floorspace intended to increase footfall in the town centre.
| Phase One elements | Details |
|---|---|
| Hotel | 120-bedroom Hampton by Hilton |
| Apartments | 56 high-quality units |
| Other | Retail, leisure, public realm, new interchange |
Council leaders and developers frame the works as the start of a 20-year partnership to transform the town centre. As the visible machinery of construction becomes part of the local skyline, residents and traders will be watching for progress on delivery, timings and the promised wider benefits once the work completes.
