Steel signing marks latest milestone at Earlestown Town Hall
17.12.25 3 min read
Work to bring Earlestown’s Grade II listed Town Hall back to life has reached a major milestone, as a special steel-signing took place marking the installation of the new extension’s structural frame.
This landmark regeneration forms part of a long-term programme being delivered by St Helens Borough Council and ECF – our partnership with Homes England and L&G – backed by £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and £8m match funding from the council.
To mark the steel frame’s installation, David Baines MP, Member of Parliament for St Helens North, Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Business and Inclusive Growth, St Helens Borough Council and Matt Whiteley, Senior Development Manager, ECF, joined representatives from HH Smith & Sons, the scheme’s main contractor, on Friday 5 December to sign the steel frame and celebrate the progress made on site to date.
The 6 tonne, 3.5m x 8m steel structure will form the frame of the single storey extension that will house a new café and courtyard, helping to bring the historic building back into active use while creating modern, accessible amenities for the community.
The new addition will complement the ongoing renovation of the existing building which, once complete, will provide community meeting rooms, flexible workspaces together with public toilets and a Changing Places facility. The main hall will be brought back to life as a performance and events space, helping to develop Earlestown’s evening economy.
The steel used for the Town Hall has an exceptionally high recycled content, with 93.9% of the material coming from scrap metal.
Matt Whiteley, senior development manager, said:
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Business and Inclusive Growth, St Helens Borough Council, said:
“Today’s steel signing marks a symbolic step toward the rebirth of Earlestown Town Hall, and it’s fantastic to see such strong progress at the end of what has been such an exciting year for the town. This was a great opportunity to celebrate the teamwork and commitment from everyone involved that has got us to this point in the construction process, and to look forward to what’s to come in 2026.”
Mike Smith, HH Smith & Sons Project Manager, said:
“Seeing the first steel go up helps bring the vision of the Council and ECF to life, and to it signed in this way makes the milestone even more special. It’s a privilege to be building something that will serve Earlestown for decades.”
David Baines, Member of Parliament for St Helens North, said:
“This steelwork isn’t just a structural frame – it’s a physical marker of the next chapter in Earlestown Town Hall’s long and proud story. Marking moments like this matter, because they help future generations understand how the building has evolved and how our community came together to bring it back to life.
“Seeing this new steel in place shows just how far this regeneration has come, and I’m incredibly proud of the partnership and ambition that’s driving this project forward.”
The restoration of Earlestown Town Hall is part of the wider regeneration programme that includes the transformation of the historic market square and wider public realm, with main works beginning on site in January 2026.