MEPC, owners of Church Square Shopping Centre, have confirmed that retailing giants BHS have signed to move into part of the former Tontine Market currently being converted to general retail space. Shop fitters will move in during autumn with the store ready to open next spring. It is hoped that more than 150 jobs will be created.

Council leader Mike Doyle said: "The attraction of such a prestigious company as BHS is another sign of the steady growth in the strength of St Helens as a regional shopping centre.

"A recent survey conducted among shoppers placed the addition of department stores high on the list of improvements they would like to see. Now it is going to happen. The council has been working closely with MEPC to bring this about and it is a major part of the town centre development strategy which includes the new Market Hall, World of Glass visitor centre and major improvements to Bridge Street, Ormskirk Street and Westfield Street."

Mike Smith from MEPC commented: "I am delighted that we have been able to attract BHS to the centre. A major store opening like this is very good news for St Helens and we expect a considerable increase in the number of shoppers in Church Square as a result."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.