VINCI Building appointed to St Helens transformation

VINCI Building has been selected as the main contractor on the first phase of plans to transform 24 acres of St Helens town centre.The project, brought forward plan by St Helens Borough Council and The English Cities Fund (ECF), aims to revitalise the heart of the town centre.It 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.VINCI Building will lead the construction of a new market hall flanked by a mixed-use area set around a 120-bedroom hotel, 64 homes and 11,000 sq ft of retail space. The scope of initial works will also see the replacement of the existing bus station with an interchange and active travel improvements across the wider town centre.About 485 jobs are expected to be created across the development once it is fully occupied.John Roberts, managing director of VINCI Building, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for VINCI Building to showcase our technical expertise in town centre regeneration.”This project allows us to increase our social value commitments and add value within the borough and surrounding Liverpool City Region. We look forward to working with The English Cities Fund and St Helens Borough Council and bringing this project to site.”Councillor David Baines, leader of St Helens Borough Council, added: “VINCI Building has been given the responsibility of delivering a high-quality and highly sustainable first phase development that, during the build programme, will benefit the people of St Helens through a wide range of social value measures.”Everyone with St Helens’ best interests at heart shares in the belief we need to restore the town centre to its former glory. That means bringing back a sense of our true heritage but also future proofing our buildings, public areas, and transport so that they are fit for purpose.”A great deal of time, energy and thought has gone into listening to what our community wants – a high-quality scheme that will be uniquely St Helens. VINCI Building has the experience and capability to help us deliver our vision of a town centre that is child and family-friendly, safe, and sustainable, with thriving places for local businesses, shoppers, visitors, and residents.”