St Helens Top Table for Inward Investment

St Helens has seen a rapid influx of new businesses over the last five years, keen on tapping the city's new support infrastructure.

There has been more than a 40 per cent rise in the number of companies in the city since the inception of a growth strategy in 2003.

Initially the plan outlined 70 business-generating projects, targeted for completion by 2013.

But as almost all have been finished, city authorities have revised this target to 90, with more than £1.1 billion of capital projects already approved.

The total spending on improving the Merseyside city's competitiveness now stands at £1.8 billion.

Chairman of the Enterprise Forum Steve Gange said: "If anything the new [city growth strategy] CGS is even more deliverable than the last, particularly if you look at how the funding stacks up."

St Helens, which is home of racetrack Haydock Park and the Saints' ground, was one of four areas in the UK selected by the government for special focus to boost facilities for the local economy.

St Helens is the Happiest Town on Merseyside - It's Official

St. Helens is one of the happiest places to live according to researchers from the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester.

They have drawn up a map of happiness down to district level across England, Scotland and Wales.

St.Helens came 14th out of 273 towns,making it the happiest town in Merseyside and one of the happiest in the North West.

Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, where people were asked about their sense of wellbeing.

After adding in factors such as employment, health and educational qualifications, the team found that the area of Brecknock, Montgomery and Radnor in Powys was the happiest place.

Manchester came second, followed by West Lothian.

Brian Spencer, Leader of St.Helens Council said: "This comes as no surprise to the people who live, visit and work in our town. St.Helens certainly has the feelgood factor with its vibrant culture and heritage together with a booming economy. It really is becoming a choice of destination whether it be for business, culture or lifestyle."

City Centre Apartments Plunge In Value Amid Credit-Crunch Gloom

Developers have slashed the price of new apartments in the heart of St Helens town centre to £50,000 as they attempt to beat the property slump.

Countryside Properties has dramatically cut the cost of more than 20 flats at its trendy HQ development on Hall Street after the economic downturn left many would-be buyers struggling to secure mortgages.

Prices for the apartments stood at about £95,000 when the properties in the 198-apartment site went on sale in April this year. Now they are almost half that figure.

In the past week both an experienced estate agent and a veteran builder have described the stagnation of the property market and the construction industry “as the worst they have seen in living memory”.

It is understood the firm has cut the prices after research showed prospective buyers are struggling to secure mortgages above £50,000.

The developer says the properties are “priced purposefully to fly off the shelf”, with one bedroom apartments starting at just £50,000 and two beds at £60,000. Countryside Properties will also cover five per cent of the deposit for every buyer.

Those still struggling to meet these mortgage payments can even choose to purchase a home at 70per cent of the price – which means a one bedroom apartment could be just £35,000.
Martin Leggett, Countryside Properties’ Regional Sales Director said: “These are incredible prices no question, but I can promise there is absolutely no catch. These are top quality homes and we just want to sell them at prices people can afford to pay.

“Within hours of releasing them we have had four reservations so we really do expect them to fly off the shelf; which just goes to show that despite troubling economic times, property at the right price and in the right location is a sound investment.

“So whether you want to make HQ your home or you are buying a nest egg for the future, make sure you come along this weekend before they are all snatched up When buyers purchase apartments at 70per cent of the price, Countryside Properties will take care of the remaining 30per cent for 10 years.

“This can be paid back to the developer when the property is sold or at any time within the 10 year period. There is no rent to pay and the share is completely interest free but the home is still fully owned by the buyer from day one.”

Homebuyers can find out more by calling 01744 20747 or visiting www.hqsthelens.co.uk. The HQ sales and marketing suite is also open from 11am to 6pm on Lower Hall Street, St Helens.

Thanks to St Helens Star

Tragic St Helens Youth's Death Leads to Camaign for Windle Island Crossing

From The BBC

A 17-year-old boy was killed when he was hit by a car near a dual carriageway in Merseyside.

Police said the collision happened on the eastbound carriageway of the East Lancs Road in St Helens, near to the junction with the Rainford by-pass.

The teenager, who was hit by a silver Ford Ka, was pronounced dead at the scene on Friday night.

Merseyside Police said the driver stopped at the scene and helped officers with their inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision at about 2300 BST is asked to contact police.

Update

Since the accident George Faulkner's family have set up a website to honour their son and to campaign for a Pedestrian Crossing at Windle Island. Please visit their site to read more about George, the campaign and to sign the petition

Accident Blackspot Claims Another Victim

A woman from Prescot has been killed in a crash on a St Helens country road.

The 34-year-old had been driving a red Toyota Yaris along Catchdale Moss Lane inEccleston when she collided with a white van travelling in the opposite direction.

Both vehicles left the road at around 4.20pm on Monday (November 3).

She was rushed to hospital where she later died. Her family has been informed.

The road was closed off for more than 12 hours as traffic officers tried to piece together what had happened. It was re-opened at 9.10am on Tuesday.

The driver of the van stopped at the scene and is helping police with their inquiries.

An inquest is expected to be opened at St Helens Hospital later today (Tuesday).

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them 0151 777 5771 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.