This market town is set for a £20million upgrade in huge plans to boost the neglected town centre that was once dubbed one of the UK’s saddest places to live.
Earlestown – a small town in the borough of St Helen’s – was voted one of the “saddest” places to live in the UK by the Office of National Statistics in 2016.
The rundown town centre features a somewhat derelict high street, with locals welcoming the new scheme set out by the Government.
The historic market square will be transformed with “new public spaces and a new market canopy”.
The improved square will also include new seats, kiosks for small businesses and replacing paving with more trees.
At the moment, Earlestown holds a weekly market every Friday and Saturday. But in recent months, it has received some negative feedback online.
One person blamed the “mismanagement” for the “chaos”, while another said it was “nowhere as good as it was years ago”.
The market should benefit from a boost in funding, offering businesses more room to operate and encouraging more locals to visit the markets.
The town hall is also set for an upgrade, described as a “significant landmark” in the town.
It gained its name after hosting one of The Beatles earliest performances. The renovations will include a new commercial workspace, a remodelled ground floor, community rooms for local people, a multifunctional hall, a new courtyard garden and a cafe extension.
It’s hoped this will encourage more locals and visitors to attend.
Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding in support of our plans for Earlestown and I would like to thank council officers and Conor McGinn for their support for this vital and transformational plan.
“The project will revitalise this historic market town, facilitate the reopening of Earlestown Town Hall and support transport improvements at Earlestown Rail Station, which has the world’s oldest rail junction and station building still in passenger service.”
The train station is set to receive better lighting to improve accessibility and safety at night.
It will also benefit from new signage, widened paths and new plants.
