Nicholson Group has announced plans for Barrow Street’s Nicholson Parade in St Helens Town Centre to help start-ups and established businesses with ambitious growth targets for 2025.
CEO of Nicholson Group Paul Nicholson said: “This is a retail parade in the primary retail zone of St Helens town centre benefitting from active retail frontage and as stated by the Council, experiences ‘dense footfall’.
Nicholson Group previously attempted to secure permission to covert the current large space from retail to residential. However, the council ultimately preferred the space to be retained for retail use given its reputation as a retail hotspot in the town centre.
Mr. Nicholson continued: “We’re seeking people with business ideas that require some support to start or continue and expand their journey. If you have a great concept and a carefully thought-out business idea, Nicholson Group are willing to support you with rent-free incentives.
“We want to attract businesses who will add to the current offering in the town centre and people shouldn’t be too worried about experience as we have a strong track record in helping people establish successful enterprises. The town centre is starting to attract interest from new business which is re-emphasised with our recent letting at Nicholson Lofts, the former Tyrer’s Building, to Bondi Pilates.”
The Group revealed that the newly completed units ideally suited to retail, hospitality, health and beauty will be fully equipped with new lighting, bathrooms, staff kitchens and flooring throughout. They will also be exempt from business rates given the design configurations too.
Nicholson Parade’s creative retail concept in assisting new and aspiring entrepreneurs has already proved popular and prior to release, just four units remain. These range from 450 sq ft to 550 sq ft respectively with floor to ceiling glass frontage on these ground floor premises.
Mr, Nicholson added: “Given the limited availability, those taking advantage of the opportunity early, will enable us to provide a more bespoke unit suited to business requirements before the fit out is complete, which is imminent. The sooner the commitment, the greater the incentives we can offer to help in support.”
One of many thriving businesses in the area that received initial help from the Nicholson Group is that owned by Ellis McCarthy (pictured above) who began with one unit and has now doubled his brand’s space.
Mr. McCarthy said: “We really appreciate how Paul and the Nicholson Group have supported us. They truly understand what it takes at the start to grow a business, and their help has been inspiring too. The location has also worked really well, and I’d recommend Nicholson Parade to any ambitious young businesses looking for a head start in early January to get in touch with Nicholson Group.”
Mr. Nicholson further commented on how Nicholson Parade faces the conservation square surrounding the Town Centre and how, “there is a residential population providing footfall within the immediate vicinity with potential clientele literally above the door of the Parade.
“It is surrounded by national retail and hospitality brands too with St Helens College’s student population close by, boasting more than 4,000 students attending the town centre daily.
“St Helens town centre as a concept works and Ellis’s business is the proof.”