£25m funding agreed for town centre projects

Major investment in St Helens town centre has moved one step closer as agreements are signed with government for £25m funding.Members of St Helens Town Deal Board unanimously agreed to sign the Heads of Terms with government on a £25m package of projects submitted to ministers earlier this year through the Town Deal Fund.Work is now underway on developing the detailed business cases for the exciting projects in the Town Investment Plan, which was created by the board members representing local public sector organisations, business leaders, members of the voluntary community and politicians.Chairman of St Helens Town Deal Board John Tabern signed the agreement.The Town Investment Plan projects include expanding on Glass Futures, the research facility which will be built next to the Totally Wicked Stadium, as well as creating new town centre living.It also seeks to create a better-connected town centre with new walking and cycling routes, supporting healthy communities through the creation of a youth zone and health innovation hub, improving digital infrastructure to help businesses grow online, and enhancing the area’s rich heritage through the development of a St Helens Heritage World.In addition to the £25m from the Town Deal Fund, the six projects outlined in the Investment Plan are set to generate significant match funding from local organisations and other funding sources, complementing the wider regeneration which will be delivered via the council’s partnership with English Cities Fund.