Local talent powers once-in-a-generation St Helens Transformation
17.03.26 3 min read
A new generation of local professionals is helping to write the next chapter in St Helens’ history, as the landmark regeneration project being brought forward by St Helens Borough Council and ECF gathers momentum.
Among those contributing their expertise to the St Helens town centre transformation is Rob Wright, a planning engineer with A+B Engineering, subcontractor to main contractor VINCI Building on the first phase of development.
The son of a Haydock bus driver, Rob has brought his experience from multimillion-pound projects nationwide back to his hometown, where he now plays a key role in shaping the physical fabric of the community he grew up in.
“It’s a privilege to be working on a development on my own doorstep,” said Rob, who have previously worked on major schemes across the country. “This regeneration gives people more reason to live and work in the area, creating a circular economy that works for everyone.”
His journey mirrors that of St Helens itself – from industrial heartland to a town overlooked by larger cities, and now to a community on the cusp of renewal. He speaks of restoring the bustling high street his parents remember from the 1960s and 70s, bringing the town he knew in the 1980s into the 21st century.
“I’ve seen successful regeneration projects around the country,” Rob added. “St Helens has that grit and togetherness – the St Helens spirit – that will be the glue binding this once-in-a-lifetime transformation together.”
Matt Whiteley, Senior Project Manager said:
St Helens Borough Council Member for Regeneration, Councillor Richard McCauley said:
“Regeneration done to a community and regeneration done by one are very different things. The fact that so many of the people driving this forward day to day live here, grew up here, have families here – that matters enormously. This is St Helens shaping its own future.”