Constructed in the 1880s, the Beecham's building was the first factory in the world built specifically to produce medicine, and allowed Beecham to become a major employer in St Helens and a global name in the pharmaceutical industry. With the Nicholson Group transforming the building into a mixed-use development of apartments and commercial space , the property developers have also paid close attention to the building's clock, designed by architect H.V.
Krolow in 1887. As the clock became one of the most iconic and recognisable features of the Westfield Street building, the Nicholson Group has spent months working with church and public clocks specialists ’Clockmaker’ to restore the clock as part of the project’s renaissance. Local historian and author 96-year-old Mary Presland is now on standby for the official relaunch of the building in September, alongside Paul Winstanley and Ian Rimmer from Rotary St Helens.
READ > Five of the best businesses to visit in Newton-le-Willows The iconic building was constructed in the 1880s (Image: St Helens Archive) Paul Winstanley said: “Paul promised everyone within heritage circles in the Borough to fix the clock. "It’s so symbolic that the clock is working again with the development of the town centre and the development of this iconic building in St Helens. "Thank you Paul and Nicholson Group in looking after this iconic building and getting the clock working again.
” The building has been transformed into a mixed-use space .