Vinci Building has been given the green light to start the main construction phase of the £70m first stage of St Helens’ town centre transformation after councillors signed off one of the biggest funding commitments in the borough’s history.

The £69.7m injection – approved at cabinet – unlocks the full build programme for phase one of the 24-acre overhaul and allows Vinci to switch from demolition and remediation works to full-scale construction in early 2026.

The town centre regeneration is being delivered by St Helens Borough Council and ECF (Muse, Homes England and L&G JV).

The scheme replaces the old Hardshaw Shopping Centre with a new Market Hall, a 120-bed Hampton by Hilton hotel, 56 flats, eight townhouses and around 4,300 sq ft of retail space.

Vinci’s package forms the heart of a wider push to revive the town centre. The project also draws in £7.24m from the Town Deal and £812k from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release Fund.

Vinci has pledged to prioritise St Helens firms in its supply chain and continue its social value work as the build ramps up.