Good news for Earlestown: a £1.2million grant programme has been approved that could help restore and improve some of the town centre’s historic buildings – and potentially transform how it looks and feels.
The Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board has signed off the Building Improvement Programme as part of the wider £20million Pride in Place investment in the area. Through the scheme, property owners and businesses within the Earlestown Town Centre Conservation Area will be able to apply for grant funding to carry out heritage-led repairs, restoration work and improvements to building frontages and shopfronts.
For people who love Earlestown and want to see it thriving, it is the kind of investment that could make a real visible difference – bringing some of the town’s characterful older buildings back to their best and making the town centre a more attractive place to spend time.
St Helens Borough Council has been appointed to manage delivery of the programme alongside the Neighbourhood Board.
Chris Hickey, Chair of the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board, said: “As a Board, we have undertaken extensive community consultation, and it is clear that our high streets and heritage are a top priority for local residents. This Business Improvement Scheme is a genuine example of listening to our community and developing investment plans for the things that matter most to them. I am excited to see the scheme get underway and I would urge as many businesses as possible to take the opportunity to attend a drop-in session and find out more about how they could benefit.”
Cllr Jack Benyon, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Property and Planning at St Helens Borough Council, said: “I am delighted to see the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board approve the funding for the Building Improvement Scheme. Our ongoing Earlestown regeneration programme is already delivering extensive public realm improvements and the restoration and enhancement of buildings within the area will further improve the appearance of the town centre, preserve its historic character and make it a more welcoming place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
David Baines MP, Member of Parliament for St Helens North, said: “The £20million Pride in Place funding from this government is all about putting communities at the heart of investment to deliver meaningful, lasting change for local people. It is fantastic to see this programme approved by the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board and I’m really looking forward to seeing the continued improvement of Earlestown which will see it restored to its rightful place as a thriving market town.”
If you own a business or building within the Conservation Area and want to find out more, two drop-in sessions are being held at Earlestown Ways to Work Centre, 30 Bridge Street, Earlestown, WA12 9BA:
- Thursday, 27 August 2026, 12pm to 2pm
- Thursday, 17 September 2026, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Applications for the Building Improvement Programme will open from spring 2027, following receipt of the second tranche of delivery funding.