I WRITE in reply to a letter published in the August 2 edition of the St Helens Star, entitled 'breathing life back into the town centre'. In this correspondence the author gives the impression that the Council and its partners are doing little to ensure the survival of St Helens as a realistic place to spend a pleasant day's shopping. In reality this is very far from the truth.

Over the last three to five years the Local Authority, the Town Centre Partnership and the Church Street Shopping Centre have been working hard to improve the town centre. This work has concentrated on the following four areas.

1. Transport and Accessibility - the completion of the 'Linkway' to the M62, connecting directly into the Town Centre and the inner ring road which has reduced traffic in the core of the town centre and allowed more effective travel around the Town Centre.

2. Environmental Improvements - the streetscape refurbishments of Bridge Street, Westfield Street, Chalon Way and Victoria Square have significantly improved the overall appearance of the Town Centre and have led to investment in external and internal building refurbishments by building owners and occupiers.

3. Attracting major new stores - the redevelopment of the Church Street Shopping Centre has resulted in the attraction of the BHS and Next stores together with the construction of the new St Mary's market.

4. Attracting Leisure, Evening Economy and Visitor Operations - the new multi screen Cinema, Cafe Car and Night Club complex, Wetherspoons 'Glass House' and The World of Glass attraction have significantly improved the range of facilities available in the Town Centre.

With regard to the specific points raised in the letter, I would make the following observations:

1. The Victoria Square refurbishment did cause major changes to the local road network and initially the signage implemented did not direct vehicles around the Town Centre as clearly as it might have done. However during the last year a major re-signing project was implemented which has significantly alleviated the problems experienced.

2. While I accept that the proliferation of shops in any sector where there is little product differentiation, such as cards and mobile phones, is not an ideal situation. I do disagree with the assertion that this problem is unique to the Church Street Centre or St Helens Town Centre. It is also an issue where the Council has no direct control over the decisions of property owners.

3. With regard to reducing business rates or rental levels, the Council has no influence over these matters. Business rates are set by Central Government and decisions over rents charged to tenants, are in the hands of the relevant landlords.

4. St Helens Town Centre offers very competitive shoppers parking charges. With the cost of parking having remained broadly unchanged since 1995.

However the Council and its partners recognise that there is much we can and are doing to improve St Helens Town Centre. Initiatives currently in the pipeline currently include:

The launch next year of a co-ordinated programme of Events and Advertising for the Town Centre.

A rolling programme of physical improvements planned for the Church Square and George Street areas aimed at further enhancing the environmental appeal of the Town Centre.

I hope these comments provide your readers with a more balanced perspective regarding the efforts being made by the Local Authority and its partners to secure the sustainable regeneration of the Town Centre.

COUNCILLOR John Fletcher, Deputy Leader of the Council and Economic Development Portfolio Holder.