ST HELENS Council is looking at plans to allow limited street trading in certain areas of the town to boost special events.

The authority is proposing to redesignate certain areas within the town centre from Prohibited to Consent Street status. If approved, this would mean that facilities to provide refreshments and other appropriate trading to special events, such as the Christmas Fayre, would be allowed from sites in Church Square, Church Street, Sefton Square and Victoria Square.

The lawful activities of pedlars and newspaper vendors, who are exempt from the existing controls, would not be affected by such a change.

The council will shortly be advertising the proposals and intends to carry out a consultation exercise with Merseyside Police, the Town Centre Partnership and St Helens Parish Church, before implementing any change.