The next significant step for the plan by St Helens Borough Council and The English Cities Fund (ECF) to transform 24 acres of St Helens town centre has seen VINCI Building selected as the main contractor to deliver the first phase development.
The project will revitalise the heart of the town centre and represents the largest ever single investment in St Helens. The scheme already has hybrid approval and will progress to a start on site in the first quarter of 2024, subject to a more detailed Reserved Matters planning application that is being submitted in the Autumn.
The scope of works for VINCI Building is expected to cover the majority of the £90.69 million secured by St Helens Borough Council and ECF for the town centre regeneration, with the specifics of the contract to be agreed following Reserved Matters consent.
VINCI Building will lead the construction of a stunning new market hall flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bedroom globally branded hotel, 64 stunning new homes and 11,000 sq ft modern retail space, along with high quality sustainable public spaces. The scope of initial works will also see replacement of the existing bus station with a new modern multi-modal interchange and active travel improvements across the wider town centre.
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VINCI Building will be working to bespoke sustainability strategies for each building that have been developed by the Council and ECF and are anchored on five key themes: Net Zero Carbon; Enhancing Biodiversity; Social Value; Circular Economy; and Health/Wellbeing.
In particular, the redevelopment will deliver significant social value in direct support of the Council's recently adopted Inclusive Growth Strategy. Phase one as a whole is expected to have a strong impact in terms of employment and Gross Value Added (GVA) - some 485 new jobs across the development once it is fully occupied, generating £23.2 million GVA each year.
In terms of the construction phase, VINCI Building will ensure the use of companies within the borough and buying locally as part of the supply chain, along with creating significant skills, training, and employment opportunities for local people. To achieve this, VINCI Building will partner with the Council and ECF to create a social inclusion programme. It will see the contractor strive to deliver as much positive impact in the community as possible, through local initiatives that include the Ways to Work scheme and connecting with St Helens College, and local schools, to provide employment and training opportunities, while engaging and supporting local Voluntary Community Social Enterprise projects.
VINCI Building will also use its experience of logistics management and phasing of works to minimise the impact on town centre businesses and visitors during the construction phase.
