With all kinds of independent businesses taking up shop along Westfield Street in times gone by, from cafes and jewellers, to bakeries and bookshops, the street has morphed more into an area designated for nightlife in recent years. And while some cherished independent 'day time' traders remain, such as Burchalls bakery, Kaleidoscope Records, and 'Q Cafe (formerly Momo's), there have been lots of changes within the street's night time economy, which puts a question mark over the area ahead of St Helens' incoming £90m regeneration plans. READ > Hotel announcement for St Helens imminent Insomnia is one of several closed venues along Westfield Street (Image: St Helens Star) Despite Westfield Street's shift towards the nighttime economy, there have been several closures which have caused concern in recent years.
With Maloney's having its licence revoked in June following reports of violent disorder, this followed a list of other closed Westfield Street venues such as Empire, Eden, Kingdom (the former Punch Tarmeys), Insomnia, and The Wheatsheaf. And while St Helens holds a Purple Flag status, noting the area as a safe place for a night out, there have been several violent episodes on the street, including a stabbing and weapons being brandished. Merseyside Police has also enforced multiple dispersal zones in the town centre because of repeated anti-social behaviour concerns, while the Home Office noted the town centre as being one of 12 violent crime hotspots across Merseyside, .