THE prestigious, new St Mary's Market will be opening for business on Thursday, May 14, as part of the £5.5million joint development by MEPC and St Helens Council to ensure the continuing improvement of facilities in the town centre.

The new market will have 86 stalls and although many of the features are reminiscent of a traditional market it does have modern comforts.

The centre piece of the brand new market is the market cafe, designed to have the atmosphere and ambience of a typical pavement cafe.

Visitors to the new centre will be astonished at the transformation of St Mary's, now open six days a week, which has taken just 12 months.

The main elements of the new development include a new market hall extension, the complete refurbishment of St Mary's Market including new roof, floor and layout, an outdoor market fronting on to Chalon Way (which will open in July) and linkways into the market from existing car parks.

The centre has an impressive glass facade - produced by Pilkington - which is supported by two masonry sides and was designed to create a feeling of "vibrant space with lots of activity".

The disabled have also been catered for at the market which will be officially opened by the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor John Mealor, on Thursday morning.

Councillor John Fletcher, Chair of Development, said: "We feel the public will be delighted with the new market with its many varied stalls housed in an extremely attractive setting. It has furthered our efforts to improve facilities for the traders and customers as well as helping us to continue to maintain St Helens as a magnet for shoppers."

Kevin Critchley, manager of Church Square Shopping Centre (part of MEPC), said: "This new purpose built market is part of a multi-million development, including the introduction of BHS and Next to the town, which shows MEPC's commitment and faith in the town of St Helens.

"Shoppers will be impressed by the new market, which will be one of the most impressive in the North West."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.