The marshals will be on hand in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday nights and all week long for the busy Christmas period and bank holidays providing advice and support to people making the most of the varied night-time offer in St Helens Town Centre.

They will also be working directly with businesses and partners including Merseyside Police and the Street Pastors team on the streets supporting revellers in the busy run up to Christmas. All partners will focus on supporting the night time economy run smoothly and safely so that businesses can provide a good time for customers.

Councillor Jeanie Bell, Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities, said: “We’re committed to making sure that visitors have a great time when they visit St Helens Town Centre and the team of marshals we have put in place over the coming months will provide a range of support and advice for visitors and liaise with businesses to make sure that they provide welcoming and safe places to visit.

“There are a lot of reasons for people to come to our town centres in the evening with a range of quality restaurants, bars and entertainment that draws thousands every weekend. The marshals will help enhance visitor experiences and make people’s nights out a good one in St Helens Town Centre.”

“These roles have been funded through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and it means that we can continue to support businesses which have been so heavily impacted by the pandemic in the last 18 months.”

The Marshals initiative is the latest from St Helens Borough Council to support St Helens Town Centre. This winter the council has a host of events for all the family to enjoy with a drive-in cinema, ice rink and festive sessions at a winter tipi at the former Chalon Way Car Park site. Meanwhile St Helens Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch on will happen this Thursday from 4:30pm til 7pm.

Festive Fun will see street entertainers, carol singers and much more fill the town centre on Saturday 4 December, while on December 11 Santa and his reindeers will be calling into Church Square as they prepare for the big day. Then on Saturday 18 December the cheeky Elf will be running amok in the town centre.

Full details of all the town centre Christmas activities are available at www.sthelens.gov.uk/christmas

The marshals programme is being funded through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Town Centres Fund and will initially run as an eight month pilot.