Don’t get caught out over the Christmas break, find out more about which and when council services are running over the festive period.
St Helens Town Hall will be closed from 24 December to 2 January so some services might move locations during this time.
Customer services
Council Tax and benefits and Blue Badge Service will close 24 December and reopen 2 January.
The Contact Centre reception will open from 9am to 1:30pm throughout the Christmas period and phone lines open 9am to 5pm except 25, 26 December and 1 January when both the reception and phone line will be closed.
Registrars
Registrars will be based at Wesley House during the Christmas period and will only be offering death registrations on 27, 30 and 31 December. After the reception closes at the Contact Centre the team will escort pre-arranged appointments into the reception area from the staff entrance to Wesley House.
Recycling centres
Christmas brings with it extra waste but make the space in your bin go further by recycling as much as you can.
Recycling centres are open throughout the Christmas period except 25, 26 December and 1 January. Newton-le-Willows and Ravenhead Household Waste Recycling Centres are open 8am to 5pm every day and Rainhill Household Waste Recycling Centre is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 28 December and 9am to 3pm on 29 December.
Check your bin sticker for your refuse collection dates or follow St Helens Council’s social media accounts.
Bereavement services
The Bereavement Services team will close at 4pm on 24 December, open normal hours 27 and 30 December and close at 4pm 31 December, reopening with normal hours on 2 January.
Crematorium and cemetery
St Helens Crematorium will be closed to services from 2:30pm on 24 December then reopen on 27 from 8:45am to 4pm on 27 and 30 December then close at 2:30pm on 31 December and reopen for normal hours on 2 January. The cemetery will be open for appointments and services until 2pm 24 December then open for the same from 9am to 2pm 24, 27 and 31 December, and open 9am to 2:30pm on 30 December. It will be closed on New Year’s Day and reopen for appointments and services from 9am 2 January. For visitors to the cemetery there will be vehicle access for wheelchair users from 8:45am to 4pm on all days except 25, 26 December and 1 January when it will be open from 9am to 4pm.
Libraries
Libraries will be closed from 24 December until 2 January except Eccleston, Parr, Chester Lane and Newton who will open on selected times except 25, 26, 29 December and 1 January (Newton will also be closed on 24 and 31 December).
St Helens Archive Service will close on Tuesday 24 December 2019 and reopen on Tuesday 21 January 2020. The closure covers our normal festive period and allows the service to manage and maintain the archive collections.
Leisure
Sutton Leisure Centre and Ruskin Sports Village will close on 22 December reopening on 4 January.
Queens Park Health and Fitness, Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness and Parr Swimming and Fitness will be closed on 25, 26 December and 1 January. Check schedules online at http://goactive.sthelens.gov.uk
Bad weather
Updates on refuse collections and winter weather can be found at www.sthelens.gov.uk/severeweather
Look after yourself! Be smart and help reduce the pressures on A&E and doctors services this winter by following these handy tips:
Medicines
Have a supply of remedies in your home for common conditions like coughs and colds.
Pharmacy rota
All pharmacies will be open on a rota basis over the Christmas break. Please check the local press or with your nearest pharmacy closer to the time.
St Helens Urgent Treatment Centre
The centre offers quick and convenient access to healthcare advice without the need for an appointment. They can treat minor injuries and illnesses, issue emergency contraception and carry out on site tests like x-rays. The centre is based at the Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, WA10 1HJ or call 01744 627400.
GP and Dental services
Contact NHS on 111 for confidential health information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week or go online.
GP out of hours service: Contact your local surgery for more information
Dental out of hours service: 0161 476 9651, 9am to 9:30pm
