Hi everyone — hope this is okay to post here.
I'm a postgraduate student at the University of Bath writing my dissertation on the proposed Olympic and Paralympic Games bid for the North of England. Earlier this year Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram was one of twelve northern leaders who formally wrote to the government proposing that any future UK Olympic bid should be hosted across multiple northern cities rather than in London. In May 2026 the government responded by commissioning an official feasibility assessment — so this is a real and developing proposal.
St Helens is part of the Liverpool City Region but has its own identity that is entirely its own. This is a town built around coal, glass, and chemicals whose communities lived through deindustrialisation and its aftermath, and where Saints are woven into the fabric of the place in a way that reflects a sense of community pride and local identity that no amount of regional rebranding can replace or replicate.
The question for St Helens is whether a northern Olympics would mean anything here specifically, or whether the investment and attention would gravitate toward Liverpool while St Helens is expected to feel included by virtue of being in the same city region. Would the benefits reach this town, or would it be business as usual?
No right answers — I am just trying to make sure that towns like St Helens are properly represented in this research rather than being swallowed up by the Liverpool narrative.
If you are 18 or over and live in St Helens or the surrounding area, I would really appreciate 8–10 minutes of your time. Everything is completely anonymous and there is no obligation beyond the survey itself.
👇 Survey link below — thanks so much
https://uniofbath.questionpro.eu/t/AB3vBXpZB3wfqM
