People say 'it's time for change' as town fights 'losing battle' |
People say 'it's time for change' as town fights 'losing battle'
Residents in the struggling Merseyside town say years of decline have left them feeling abandoned as Labour faces a 'losing battle' in May elections
St Helens Town Centre
On a freezing afternoon in St Helens, people didn't hold back about a town centre the claim is in decline. Shuttered shops, empty streets and the drift of major retailers to out of town parks have left many residents feeling overlooked and angry.
Longstanding industries still anchor parts of the local economy, but closures and job losses have added to a sense that the town has been left behind. ECHO readers have been discussing the need for change.
Major regeneration is now underway, with the demolition of the old Hardshaw shopping centre paving the way for a new market hall, hotel, homes, shops and a large transport interchange. Council leaders said it marks a fresh start, but on the streets there is deep scepticism about whether the plans will genuinely bring people back or simply rearrange what remains.
That frustration is spilling into politics. A Labour stronghold for decades, St Helens now faces a........