Earlestown Market Square - Levelling Up Fund Submission
Our plans for the transformation of the Market Square at Earlestown, St Helen's have been submitted for 'Levelling Up' funding to support the wider regeneration of the historic market town.
Matt Brook Architects have supported St Helen’s Borough Council with their submission to national government for Levelling Up funding, including the preparation of design proposals for the town’s market square.
A market has been present in Earlestown since the 19th Century and has formed an integral part of the town’s identity ever since. In its current state, the market square’s role, presence and performance within the town has reduced from that of its historic peak. Our proposals are composed of a new market canopy structure, set within a re-landscaped square that not only allows for traders to operate from both covered and uncovered pitches, but also introduces soft landscape and naturalistic planting to create a pleasant setting for people to visit the market from what is currently a harsh and vehicle-dominated environment.
The location, setting and design of the market canopy, responds positively to the listed structures of the Obelisk, sat within the square, and the former town hall building on the edge of it. In addition to improving their setting visibility to both structures is also improved. In addition to market trading the market square will be able to accommodate a number of other events to further extend its appeal.
Earlestown’s historic development is intrinsically linked to the railway infrastructure connecting Manchester and Liverpool. In addition to reflecting the historic building stock of the town, the proposed canopy structure also draws upon the rich building heritage of the railway system, notably the Grade 1 listed Sankey Viaduct. The market canopy and landscaping share a common planning grid as well as a limited materiality palette, contributing to the overall visual cohesiveness of the market square in the future.
