VINCI Building has been selected as the main contractor to deliver the first phase development of St Helens town centre.
The ambitious plans to transform 24 acres of the town have been put forward by St Helens Borough Council and the English Cities Fund (ECF).
The scope of works for VINCI Building is expected to cover the majority of the £90.69m secured by the council and ECF for the town centre regeneration, with the specifics of the contract to be agreed following reserved matters consent.
The scheme has already secured hybrid approval and will progress to a start on site in the first quarter of 2024, subject to the more detailed reserved matters planning application, which is being submitted in the autumn.
VINCI Building will lead the construction of a new market hall flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bed hotel, 64 new homes and 11,000 sq ft of modern retail space. The initial works will also see the replacement of the existing bus station with a new modern multi-modal interchange.
As part of the agreement, VINCI Building will partner with the council and ECF to create a social inclusion programme, which will see it use companies within the borough and buy locally as part of the supply chain, along with creating significant skills, training, and employment opportunities for local people.
Councillor David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone and to have taken yet another step closer to work starting on site. VINCI Building have been given the responsibility of delivering a high-quality and highly sustainable first phase development that, during the build programme, will benefit the people of St Helens through a wide range of social value measures.
“Everyone with St Helens’ best interests at heart shares in the belief we need to restore the town centre to its former glory. That means bringing back a sense of our true heritage but also future proofing our buildings, public areas, and transport so that they are fit for purpose.
“A great deal of time, energy and thought has gone into listening to what our community wants – a high-quality scheme that will be uniquely St Helens. VINCI Building has the experience and capability to help us deliver our vision of a town centre that is child and family-friendly, safe, and sustainable, with thriving places for local businesses, shoppers, visitors, and residents.”
Max Bentham, development director at ECF, added: “VINCI Building has the experience and capability to deliver against our goal of a highly sustainable, large-scale transformation of the town. This a hugely ambitious and multi-faceted regeneration project that will leave a lasting positive legacy.
“As a partnership, we’re 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 thrive and prosper. We’re looking forward to continuing our collective momentum and starting the first phase early in 2024.”
John Roberts, managing director of VINCI Building said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for VINCI Building to showcase our technical expertise in town centre regeneration. This project allows us to increase our social value commitments and add value within the borough and surrounding Liverpool city region. We look forward to working with the English Cities Fund and St Helens Borough Council and bringing this project to site.”
