Plans have been submitted to transform a prominent St Helens town centre site into a vibrant hub for start-up businesses and leisure facilities.

Steel Life Chalon Way will look to take over the former Chalon Way multi-storey car park for up to seven years with upcycled shipping containers providing the setting for a variety of food, drink, business start-up and cinema on the site.

It comes after the council agreed a deal with Steel Life Group Ltd to be the contractor for its vision for meanwhile uses of the site on Foundry Street, close to the Sankey Canal and Church Square.

The aim of the project is to boost St Helens' visitor profile and attract residents and visitors to St Helens town centre in advance of this site being developed as a future phase of the £200m town centre regeneration plans announced recently by the council and English Cities Fund.

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In addition to a great new venue the project is also projected to deliver significant social economic benefits, including up to 100 full time jobs, while creating opportunities for young people.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business and Skills, said: "We are determined to transform St Helens town centre and are confident that our ambitious Masterplan Framework will deliver lasting change for the better. But as well as progressing with that long-term plan but we know that the town centre needs support now. This project will provide opportunities for visitors and residents to make the most of our town centre and support local businesses."

Chris Lewis, Managing Director of Steel Life Group said: "The success and vibrancy will enhance the town centre and create an active use of the space to compliment the World of Glass adjacent site. We look forward to working with the council to deliver this site important project, with first units on site in summer 2022 and additional units to follow in a future phase."

The plans have been submitted to the council as local planning authority in the form of a full planning application and a decision on the planning application is currently envisaged in late July.