By now you have probably noticed that the long-awaited work to transform Earlestown town centre has finally begun.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, 17 February, bringing together councillors, local stakeholders and construction partners to officially mark the start of works on the Market Square and surrounding streets.
The project has been many years in the making. Backed by £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and £8m match funding from St Helens Borough Council — in partnership with ECF, a collaboration between Homes England, Legal and General, and Muse — the scheme will give Earlestown’s historic Market Square a complete transformation.
The most distinctive feature of the new-look square will be a permanent, all-weather canopy inspired by the nine arches of the iconic Sankey Viaduct. As well as providing sheltered space for the market, it will also create a flexible venue for public events throughout the year.
Construction firm Eric Wright Group has been appointed as the main contractor and has already carried out a series of preparatory works on site since January 2026, including surveys and the removal of selected street furniture and trees. Work started in January to allow the market to stay in its usual location throughout the busy Christmas period — something that traders and the local community had specifically asked for.
During construction, Earlestown’s Friday Retail Market and Saturday Flea Market will continue to run from a temporary location along Market Street, so traders and shoppers can carry on as normal while the work takes place.
Work is also well underway on the Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall, where separate contractor HH Smith and Sons is delivering a major refurbishment and extension, with completion expected in summer 2026. And there has been more good news for this project this week — a £134,000 audio-visual and lighting upgrade has been approved through the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board, which will make it an even more versatile space for community events and performances once the restoration is complete. A £1.2m Building Improvement Scheme for Earlestown’s town centre is also in the pipeline, which will eventually allow independent businesses and building owners to apply for grant funding to smarten up their shop fronts. Read more about those plans here.
Together, the Market Square and Town Hall schemes are part of a wider 20-year regeneration vision for Earlestown town centre, with the aim of creating a town centre that feels welcoming and works well for future generations.
Artists impression of how Earlestown Town Centre could look
Cllr Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Borough Council, said: “Market Square is central to the life of Earlestown, and today’s groundbreaking marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the town. This project will create a vibrant, high-quality space that supports local businesses and community life, while respecting the town’s heritage. Listening to traders and residents has been fundamental to shaping the programme, and we’re committed to keeping people closely involved as works progress.”
Sam Wilson, Project Manager at ECF, said: “Today’s ceremony is a proud moment for Earlestown. Breaking ground on site shows that our long-term plans are becoming reality, and we’re another step closer to delivering a town centre that is welcoming, resilient and sustainable for the future.”
David Baines, Member of Parliament for St Helens North, said: “This is a hugely important moment for Earlestown and for everyone who cares about the future of our town centres. For generations, Market Square has been at the heart of community life here — and this investment ensures it will continue to thrive for decades to come. Thanks to the commitment of our council and its strong partnerships — backed by government funding — we’re seeing real, visible progress on levelling up our area. This transformation will not only create a vibrant space for traders, shoppers and families, but also support local businesses, create jobs and help build a bright and exciting future for Earlestown.”