Changes to Hackney taxi ranks to support St Helens town centre economy

Article date: May 23rd 2024

The changes will see an additional 11 bays created, with new ranks being created closer to more popular areas of town including Bridge Street and Baldwin Street to cater to both daytime and nighttime increase in customer traffic in those areas compared to current stands in places like Hall Street, which have seen a fall in customer numbers in recent times.

The new ranks apply to Hackney carriages, which are more often known as black cabs and taxis, who can pick up passengers without a booking, directly from the roadside. Private hire vehicles, which need to be prebooked through an operator, will not be affected by these changes.

The moves will help support the works for the first phase of the St Helens town centre redevelopment which centres around the soon to close Hardshaw Centre and bus station.

Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Supporting Neighbourhoods, said: "This is a great example of collaborative working, with our Licensing Team working with our regeneration partners and the trade to find solutions that meet everyone's needs. We have met with and incorporated the suggestions from representatives from the Hackney carriage trade including the extension of spaces on Church Street and they have welcomed the changes that will benefit not just the drivers but also visitor to the town centre who rely on the taxi trade to get them home.

"These changes will help to futureproof the trade over the coming years as we see the transformational changes to St Helens town centre as part of our once-in-a-lifetime regeneration plans."

To see the full map of changes visit our website.