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#InTheCity Nov 21 event wrap-up | Sustainability and the small city advantage

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Our fifth and final #InTheCity event of 2024 took place on Thursday November 21, when we once again took to OneCoWork on Winckley Square, this time to talk about all things sustainability. 

It was another great turnout as Preston Partnership members, strategic partners and guests from across the region came together to discuss the vital topic of sustainability in all of its forms – social, financial and environmental.

Sustainable regeneration projects

Chris Blackburn, head of city centre regeneration at Preston City Council opened the topic talks with an overview of the multitude of active travel and sustainable projects that are currently being implemented across Preston.

Just one example that Chris talked about was the tree-lined Fishergate Central Gateway Project, which saw Fishergate and selected main approaches to the city centre transformed into a ‘shared space’ that made the area more attractive to all users.

Chris shared further insight on some upcoming projects including:

  • The Illuminate and Integrate project, promoting pedestrian and cycle movement in the currently traffic-dominated route in the Harris Quarter. Ongoing works are due to complete in summer 2025.
  • The Old Tram Bridge restoration, creating pedestrianised access between South Ribble and the city centre, due to complete in early 2026.
  • The North-South cycle link, which will connect Friargate with the Harris Quarter. Plans, which were brought forward, have been undergoing public consultation which will inform next steps.

Following Chris’ introduction, he joined the panel, which was chaired by Preston Partnership board member and director at Cassidy and Ashton, Alban Cassidy.

Joining them on the panel: Deborah Smith, director at Smith and Love Planning Consultants; Stephen Sykes, director of sustainability at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce; Dan Hyde, co-host of the Zero Ambitions podcast; James Traynor, director of ECD Architects; and Gemma Cornwall, director at Viridium.

The small city effect

It wasn’t the first time that our status as a small city has been highlighted during the #InTheCity event series, as a distinctive strength. Our size enables daily necessities including work, shopping, education, healthcare and leisure within a short distance and space of time.

This perspective was first highlighted by Dan. He referred to The Preston Model and its pivotal role in building economic sustainability in the city, whereby we can embrace a greater sense of interconnectedness and resilience in a way that larger cities might struggle to replicate.

Dan added that our smaller footprint gives individuals more scope to make a difference, and to take on a “do it ourselves” mindset, highlighting the power behind community-driven efforts to drive meaningful and positive change.

Stephen added that it is cities, such as Preston, that harness the ability to create and demonstrate progress towards greater sustainability, and in-turn, influence government decision making.

James, who moved to Preston after growing up in Manchester and living in London, reiterated the point, adding that Preston is further advantaged when it comes to sustainability by its strong “green lungs” when referring to Avenham Park and Winckley Square.

The discussion honed in on the importance of independent businesses embracing ESG policies, which, beyond being a ‘tick-box exercise’, can be embraced as a means to set measurable targets and do things differently to drive impact on a local scale.

Retrofitting and the possibilities of passive house design 

A key point of discussion was around the largely untapped potential of existing buildings throughout the city.

James, who is a certified passive house designer, cited the possibilities provided by passive house design when developing new buildings in Preston. Passive house design focuses on optimising insulation, airtightness, ventilation and solar gains to minimise energy usage, and can be applied across residential, commercial and institutional buildings. James emphasized the long-term return on investment that this offers for businesses, creating two-fold economic and environmental benefits.

Gemma highlighted Preston’s wealth of disused buildings, and the potential for their sustainable renovation over constructing new ones. Pointing at a boarded-up structure visible from the window, she underscored the city’s untapped opportunities for eco-friendly redevelopment.

Dan expanded on this idea, suggesting the potential to develop dynamic, multi-use spaces that cater to a diverse range of businesses, fostering collaboration and versatility under one roof.

The four-day work week 

Deborah steered the discussion toward the social sustainability of Preston’s working patterns. She noted that on a broader national scale, we are ‘in hot water’ when it comes to our work-life balance, arguing that Preston has an opportunity to break away from national trends and chart a new path forward.

Drawing from her own experience at Smith and Love, Deborah shared her success with implementing a four-day work week, where staff work fewer hours without a reduction in pay. On this, she reported a noticeable increase in focus, energy and productivity among her staff, supporting this as a route towards improved social impacts.

Delving into some of the key advantages, she cited increased time for exercise and spending time with family, which were suggested as healthy adjustments that have a knock-on effect in creating a healthier, happier workforce and improving local public health outcomes.

The need for education

The wide range of approaches towards sustainability discussed in such a short space of time revealed that the term itself is complex. This prompted a broader discussion, extending into the audience, about how we define “sustainability” and whether the term alone holds any real value without further context.

In response to an audience member’s question, “How do we educate on sustainability?” suggestions emerged on how to give the term clearer meaning. These included emphasising decisive action and prioritising measurable, tangible impacts, and steering away from sustainability as a tick-box exercise for ESG policies or a marketing buzzword.

Dates for your diary

Our 2025 #InTheCity event schedule will be revealed in January.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.prestonpartnership.org/news-and-events/ and follow us on LinkedIn.

Join Preston Partnership

If you would like to join the community of over 200 members working together to help Preston realise its potential, head over to our join page and choose your membership package. Membership is £100 per year or £2,000 if you want to become a strategic partner.

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New strategic partners revealed for Preston Partnership

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Preston Partnership, has revealed 13 new strategic partners on the 12-month anniversary of its relaunch.

Preston Partnership relaunched in October 2023 and has since welcomed over 200 new members to the organisation.

The organisation represents the private sector to work with Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, UCLan and other partners to shape and implement future regeneration plans, while promoting the city.

The partnership can now reveal 13 new strategic partners, which will invest £2,000 per year to support the organisation’s activities. They include:

  • BDP: International practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists
  • Cassidy + Ashton: North west practice of architects, planners and surveyors
  • Core Network Group: Provider of fibre, VoIP and IT infrastructure services to clients across the UK
  • Cotton Court: Serviced and virtual office provider, along with business services
  • Eric Wright: Lancashire-based property developer and construction group
  • Freshfield: North west PR and communications consultancy
  • Harrison Drury: North west law firm
  • Heaton Group: UK property development company
  • Hy Hotel: Leisure operator and property development group
  • North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce: Lancashire’s largest private sector membership body
  • Story Homes: Housing developer with schemes across the North West
  • University of Central Lancashire
  • Wrkspace: Serviced and virtual office provider, with sites across Preston

Senior representatives from the new partners will form Preston Partnership’s Strategic Advisory Panel and lead working groups across sector priorities.

Alongside support from UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Preston BID, the investment will also contribute to the running of Preston Partnership’s popular events programme, help commission evidence-based studies to inform policy makers, and support its efforts to promote Preston on a regional and national stage.

Speaking on the new partners, Beckie Joyce, Preston Partnership head of business development, said: “The strategic partners will be the engine room of the partnership and, working alongside our members, will help inform the strategic agenda of the partnership and our priorities.

“It’s a brilliant representation of sectoral talent with some national firms getting involved. This is testament to the appeal of Preston as a city on the rise with huge potential. It’s our role to help the city realise that potential and our partners will play an important part.”

Since Preston Partnership’s relaunch in October 2023, it has secured a place and a voice on the new Preston Regeneration Board (PRB), alongside the leaders of Lancashire County Council, Preston City Councils and UCLan.

It has also helped shape the new Preston 35 Regeneration Plan and launch at UKREiiF in May 2024, while powering the creation of the new Preston Innovates sub-group, which is running a series of innovation-themed events and initiatives to help the growth of innovation in Preston.

Over 400 people have also attended its four #InTheCity events, which have taken place across the city in 2024.

John Chesworth, chairman of Preston Partnership, added: “Our goal in Autumn 2023 was to build an ambitious partnership of over 100 members to help us shape Preston’s future and tell a relentlessly positive Preston’s story, and we have been bowled over by the interest.

“This reminds us that there is huge passion and intent from the private sector to see Preston evolve and grow, and become a dynamic economic engine of the Preston city region and the North.

“The calibre of the new strategic partners and the investment they have made will build on the momentum of the last 12 months.”

In Autumn 2024, Preston Partnership launched a consultation that will inform a new Preston Economic Plan, due to be revealed in 2025.

Beckie Joyce added: “We have 13 strategic partners and are now ready to open the doors for seven more. We welcome applications from businesses in the manufacturing, engineering, security, professional services, energy, transport and logistics sectors. It’s a great opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Preston.”

Membership of Preston Partnership is £100 per year, with Strategic Partner membership £2,000 per year. For more information, visit www.prestonpartnership.org.

Preston Partnership originally formed in 2018 with Preston City Council and University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The organisation led the creation of Preston’s Towns Fund board which secured £20.9million in 2021 to kick-start a £200m regeneration of the city’s cultural Harris Quarter.

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#SustainabilityInTheCity, November 21 2024

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On November 21, Preston Partnership (PP) will host its fifth and final #InTheCity event of 2024, bringing together PP members and guests to discuss and help shape the future of Preston.

Our events bring together an ambitious community to learn about Preston projects, have their say on big Preston issues and build relationships over coffee and a croissant.

The theme for our November event is Sustainability and will feature a specialist panel discussion around environmental and social sustainability in Preston, touching on development, employment, low carbon, travel and more.

We will also be joined by Head of City Centre Regeneration from Preston City Council who will update us on some of the key sustainable measures, including active travel proposals, being delivered across the city.

Our event will take place once again at OneCoWork, the stunning new co-working and office building located on Winckley Square.

Full details of our guest speakers and panellists will be shared on LinkedIn leading up to the event.

Registration

This our last free-to-attend event in the series for non-members.

There are only 100 spaces available, so book your space soon to avoid disappointment.

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#InTheCity Sept 5 event wrap-up | Culture and defining Preston’s identity

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Our fourth #InTheCity event took place on Thursday September 5, when we returned to OneCoWork on Winckley Square to discuss the topic of culture.

Preston Partnership members, strategic partners, and guests from across Preston and surrounding areas came together to get under the skin of Preston’s cultural identity, exploring how we can come together to put Preston on the cultural map.

Preston’s culture club 

Stakeholders and leaders from across Preston’s private and public sector who attended the event were joined by some of Preston’s most influential cultural leaders including Timothy Joel, head of arts and culture at Preston City Council, which recently helped attract BBC Radio 2 in The Park to Preston; Christina Cort, Founder of Chew’s Yard and cultural trailblazer across the North West; and Shawn Sharpe, Founder at Graffiti Rooms, and artist behind the well-known mural on the side of the Hogarths, located on Church Street, as well as Lynsey Thompson, Managing Director at Wash Studio and founder of The Artistry House; and Peter Alexander, Proprietor at Blitz.

Key cultural investment projects

Timothy spoke of us being on a “precipice of change”, highlighting some key development projects that are underway.

One key focal point was the redevelopments underway in Preston’s emerging Harris Quarter. This included the restoration of the Harris Museum, and the much-anticipated Animate Cinema and Leisure scheme in the area, due to open in 2025. Tim talked about the October 2024 reopening of the former Guild Hall Foyer as The Guild Lounge where it will serve as an entertainment venue. Together, the projects were praised for their role in diversifying the cultural and night-time economy in the city.

Timothy also talked about the Illuminate and Integrate scheme, which began work in August. The scheme aims to deliver improved pedestrian, cycleway, and outdoor leisure infrastructure in the area, which will enhance the accessibility and scope of the Harris Quarter as a vibrant cultural destination.

As well as redeveloping, building and updating cultural institutions and public spaces, Preston is now showcasing an increasingly busy cultural calendar, which brings the city to life for residents and draws people in from across the UK. From the much talked about BBC Radio 2 in The Park, to the upcoming Encounter Festival and Lancashire Fringe Festival, Preston is marking its place on the cultural map .

This, it was discussed, offers to have a knock-on effect, giving us the opportunity to highlight Preston’s unique cultural assets. The panel discussed the upcoming events and referenced the new Blog Preston What’s On page.

Timothy additionally touched on smaller investment projects with great impact. The recent addition of several public art installations both improves the look and feel of the city and creates focal points of interest. Specifically, he referenced the “iconic” Wallace and Gromit bench which was unveiled outside the Preston Market Hall in 2021, as well as Shawn’s ongoing series of murals across the city.

Defining Preston’s cultural identity

Our panel discussion was marked by a particular focus on defining Preston’s unique personality as a city – as Christina put it: “What is our quintessential thing?”.

Lynsey talked about how the affordability of rent in Preston has created opportunities for her in creating a creative community workspace and gallery, The Artistry House and creative film production studio, Wash Studio. Through creating her “home” in Preston, she has been able to host self-funded events that inspire people and pour her passion into projects that carve change in the city.

The panel agreed that the relative affordability for small businesses to have their own space and create their home in Preston makes it more accessible for a community of innovative people with their own clear visions, to collectively build out Preston’s unique cultural ecosystem.

Stemming off from this point, it was discussed that it’s not only our physical proximity as a small and walkable city that makes us unique, but that we are a smaller community compared to other nearby cities. This offers individuals a greater opportunity to have their voice heard and be an active member of shaping the cities’ identity during this important phase of defining our who, what and why.

Whilst we’re in this phase of change and regeneration, the panel pinpointed Friargate and the surrounding area as a representation of a key cultural shift that is underway. An example they discussed was Chew’s Yard – a food-hall, event space and wrap-around garden, founded by panellist Christina – which exists as a democratic and welcoming space created specifically for people in Preston, and now attracting visitors from across the region.

The way forward 

It was evident throughout Thursday’s event that there are lots of ambitious people with ideas in Preston, and coming together with a collective vision, we can steer and drive real momentum to define Preston’s who, what and why, and to realise our potential as a city.

Christina placed emphasis on the importance of defining and honouring Preston’s unique cultural identity as a way to create direction.

Whilst smaller spaces such as the Ferret and Blitz came up in discussions around the thriving live-music scene across the city, there was a general agreement that a larger-scale music venue could open even more opportunities when it comes to live entertainment.

Timothy added that with a new government in place there exists a renewed opportunity to influence funding priorities, and that on a local level, cultural projects have been seen taking up greater space at the forefront of strategic conversations in a way that they weren’t before.

#MyPreston 

Join us in a campaign to showcase the very best of socialising, working, and studying in Preston.

Use #MyPreston in your personal and business social media posts sharing your favourite Preston places to highlight what makes our city a vibrant and thriving community!

Dates for your diary

Our next #InTheCity event will be held on November 21 at OneCoWork and will be focussed on the topic of sustainability in Preston.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.prestonpartnership.org/news-and-events/.

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If you would like to join a community of over 175 members collaborating to help Preston realise its potential, head over to our join page and choose your membership package.

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#InTheCity Jul 25 event wrap-up | Working in the city and unveiling the Preston 35 regeneration plan

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Our third #InTheCity event took place on Thursday July 25 at Preston’s impressive new co-working space, OneCoWork, located on Winckley Square.

Preston Partnership members and guests came together to discuss Preston’s strengths and opportunities as a place to relocate and work. The debate included a presentation of the Preston 35 regeneration plan, working culture and trends in the city, new offices, and the real living wage.

Preston 35 regeneration plan

Following a breakfast networking session, Adrian Phillips, board member and chief executive of Preston City Council, spoke about the formation of the Preston Regeneration Board (PRB) which, in its first year, has started to outline a blueprint for Preston’s future.

Adrian highlighted some of the key regeneration and development opportunities in Preston outlined in the newly unveiled Preston 35 regeneration plan, which sets out the draft vision and priorities for Preston and the wider city region.

Adrian outlined key focus areas which the PRB aims to deliver by 2035, including: the continued development of Stoneygate – a 25-hectare urban village area offering new city centre residential, business, education and leisure spaces; and the Harris Quarter Phase Two project, which will bring a range of cultural and leisure opportunities to Preston city centre.

He also talked about the board’s future aspirations, such as adding a third River Ribble crossing, building on the existing Preston Station Quarter plans and regenerating Preston’s Riversway.

Adrian cited Preston Partnership as a means for individuals and organisations to have a direct involvement and impact in the continued work that is going on across Preston, and building on the growth, development and success that has been forged across the city in recent years.

Working in Preston

Next, we were joined by our expert panel, who discussed what Preston can do to become a more attractive destination for businesses and employees.

Chaired by Beckie Joyce of Preston Partnership, our panel consisted of Davinia Jackson, development organiser at Citizens UK; Danny Pinkus, director at Robert Pinkus & Co; Wes Royle, business director at Hays Recruitment; Joshua Senior, CEO at Leven Branco, and Rory Southworth, investment ecosystem manager at Lancashire County Council.

The panel stated that the key areas of interest for business owners and employees, in any city, include high quality, sustainable and flexible working spaces, with a vibrant cultural offer.

They agreed that more could be done to promote the distinct points of interest that could attract employees and employers to Preston, including recent investment successes, our abundance of green spaces and parks, a growing retail and leisure scene, and a progressive stance on the real living wage.

The discussion explored the post pandemic rise of working from home trends (WFH) and the challenges and opportunities for businesses and employees alike.

It was stressed that the vast majority of employees want WFH provisions and that a more agile way of working creates opportunities for Manchester-based talent to work in Preston without the need for a five-day commute, and vice versa.

Our panel also discussed the ‘race amongst employers for good quality business spaces’, with an imbalance between the great range of entrepreneurs and SMEs, and the lack of high-quality grade A office space to facilitate various business needs.

They cited the Preston Station East development, outlined in the Preston 35 regeneration plan, as a potential solution that would create a mixed-use commercial complex near to Preston railway station, featuring grade A office space, to accommodate the needs of businesses in Preston city centre.

There was also talk around Preston’s progressive stance on the real living wage in contrast, compared to other areas in Lancashire, and the positive health outcomes that could come off the back of this.

National Cyber Force (NCF)

Introduced initially in Adrian’s talk, the topic of NCF’s 2025 relocation towards Preston, in Samlesbury, was a key talking point throughout the event.

Some of the opportunities that will come from Preston’s proximity to the NCF that were referenced throughout include the additional high-skilled jobs that will emerge and the positive impact this will have on Lancashire’s economy, as well as Preston’s opportunity to become recognised as a leading hub for cyber, digital and data innovation.

Cultural assets

Something that was agreed upon unanimously was that Preston has a unique set of green spaces in the city including the extensive Avenham and Miller Parks and Winckley Square, being points of interest that could attract people to live and work in Preston.

Additionally, referencing projects including the ongoing Harris Quarter Towns Fund investment which will facilitate the refurbishment and reopening of important cultural institutions including the Harris Museum and the creation of new areas including the Animate Cinema and Leisure centre.

Our panel identified a need for us to exploit these cultural assets and place Preston on the map, becoming recognised as an attractive destination in Lancashire.

Dates for your diary

Our next #InTheCity event will be held on September 5 at OneCoWork and will be focussed on the topic of culture in Preston.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.prestonpartnership.org/news-and-events/.

Become a member

If you would like to join a community of over 175 members collaborating to help Preston realise its potential, head over to our join page and choose your membership package.

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Preston Innovates events series coming to Preston in August and September

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A series of in-person events, aimed at cultivating a vibrant and innovative local ecosystem are taking place in Preston.

The events mark the beginning of an exciting new calendar of Preston innovation and investment events focused on the themes of tech, digital, cyber, disruptive processes, advanced manufacturing, nuclear and bio/green tech.

Within the umbrella series, is the ‘fhunded Preston Season’, the inaugural series from Lancashire County Council initiative, fhunded.

Fhunded is designed to connect tech founders with venture capital funding bodies, fostering collaboration and driving investment in Lancashire’s tech and digital sectors.

Rory Southworth, Investment Ecosystem Manager at fhunded, said: “fhunded coming to Preston is bringing many Northern focused Investors into the city, with their eyes of Preston businesses.”

Rob Binns, CEO of Cotton Court and Preston Partnership board member, added: “It is encouraging to see opportunities to develop in and for Preston. With the National Cyber Force opening its HQ on our doorstep within the next year, it is the perfect time to host these conversations and events and push this agenda forward.”

Dates for your diary

Aug 27: Fireside chat with Seneca Partners (fhunded Preston Season event) 

For founders seeking early-stage investment, don’t miss this fireside chat with Matt Currie from Seneca Partners. This session will provide valuable tips on how to successfully pitch to investors, what to look out for in the process, and informal networking with other local founders.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 9: What is equity investment? (fhunded Preston Season event)

Attend this short, lunch time talk, hosted by Society 1, for explainers on what exactly Equity Investment is, the processes for gaining investment and jargon busting.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 11: Artificial Inspiration: AI and the Creative Process 

Part of Society1’s ‘Live Work Create’ series, this panel discussion will explore how creatives can strike the optimal balance between human creativity and AI-generated content.

Moderated by Mich Bondesio and featuring Mark Dunbavan, Matty Hall and Christina Davies, the discussion will look at ideas for how creatives can use AI to enhance and elevate their own creative abilities and outputs.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 11: Lancashire Women in Digital (LWID) 

Join this evening event at Chorley Studios, featuring a mix of networking, engaging talks, micro-training sessions, and group activities—including goal setting for the remainder of 2024.

Their buddy system is perfect for newcomers, offering the chance to connect with a fellow attendee.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 17: Founder X Funder (fhunded Preston Season event) 

Hosted at Preston’s new OneCoWork, this event features Kiran Mehta from Mercia Ventures, who will share key insights on raising investment. Following the session, there will be an informal networking opportunity to connect Lancashire founders and funders.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 25: Lancashire Cyber Good Practice Network (GPN)

Organised in collaboration with UCLan and Your Affordable Board (YAB), join cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and organisations from across the county to share knowledge and ideas at the Cyber GPN meet up morning.

A breakfast networking session will be followed by a dynamic morning of intros, collaborative mastermind sessions and discussion around specific challenges.

Get your ticket here.

Sept 27: Preston Innovates drop-in sessions

Book a one-on-one, 30-minute slot with Shirah Bamber of Preston Innovates, to discuss anything tech, digital or cyber related. Sessions will be held at Cotton Court Business Centre.

Book your slot here.

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If you would like to join a community of over 200 members collaborating to help Preston realise its potential, head over to our join page and choose your membership package.

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#CultureInTheCity, September 5 2024

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On September 5, Preston Partnership will host its fourth #InTheCity event of 2024, open to our members and guests from the private and public sector passionate to discuss and shape the future of Preston.

One of our core strategic aims is to bring together an ambitious community of people determined to help Preston realise its potential.

Our #InTheCity event series allows our members and guests to come together to learn about upcoming projects, have their say on big Preston issues, and build relationships over coffee and a croissant.

The theme for our September event is #CultureInTheCity and coincides with BBC’s Radio 2 in the Park annual live music event, which takes place in Preston on September 7 and 8.

Our event will once again take place at OneCoWork, the impressive new coworking and office space located on Preston’s stunning Winckley Square.

We will be bringing together a specialist panel from Preston’s culture community to discuss the city’s cultural strengths and opportunities.

Full details of our guest speakers will be revealed on social media leading up to the event.

OneCoWork are also kindly offering complimentary day passes to all attendees, allowing you to use its facilities and coworking spaces for the remainder of the day following the event.

Details on booking complementary day pass in confirmation email.

Registration

This is a free event with 100 spaces available, so book your space soon to avoid disappointment.

Please note, there is a maximum of two spaces per company.

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Preston 35 regeneration plan announced at Preston Partnership event

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(Photographed above, left to right: Preston Partnership chair, John Chesworth; cabinet member for community wealth building at Preston City Council, Valerie Wise; and chief executive of Preston City Council, Adrian Phillips)

The newly formed Preston Regeneration Board (PRB) has unveiled Preston 35, a new regeneration plan for Preston, projected to secure significant further investment across the city by 2035.

Preston 35 was revealed to the Preston Partnership community at our #InTheCity event last Thursday, in an introduction by Adrian Phillips, chief executive at Preston City Council.

This follows in the wake of a successful launch to industry peers at the UK REiiF conference held in Leeds, in May, the UK’s largest real estate, investment and infrastructure forum with a delegation of over 13,000 eager to find the next UK hotspot for unlocking investment, regeneration and development.

The PRB includes senior representatives from Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Preston Partnership.

As the third biggest city in the North West, over £1bn of investment has already been delivered or committed in the city, ranking ‘The Best City for Quality of Life’1 and the ‘Top UK City 2023 to Raise a Family.’2

Preston 35 is championing the city as an attractive place to do business and highlights six strategic, priority regeneration prospects that the city is driving forward over the next 11 years.

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive of Preston City Council, outlined the PRB’s vision, priorities and objectives at the Preston Partnership event on July 25, hosted at the recently opened OneCoWork offices on Winckley Square, Preston.

Adrian said: “2035 provides us with a natural and realistic focus, that takes in the next Guild celebrations in 2032, to make some significant progress, take stock of how far we have come, and evaluate what still needs to be done.

“The city’s investment plan is always evolving and this new reiteration – Preston 35 – defines what we have already collectively achieved over the past decade, but more importantly, it focuses on what’s next and how much more we can achieve by working together.

“The key to successful place making and attracting significant inward investment for the city, that’s both meaningful and provides a lasting legacy for the people of Preston, is collaboration across public and private sectors, pooling our resources and working together with shared goals and objectives.”

John Chesworth, chair of Preston Partnership, said: “This exciting plan is partnership in action. The key Preston regeneration stakeholders leading the regeneration of Preston over the next decade have agreed key priorities and identified those projects which will contribute to their delivery.

“Prestonians want to see ambition for our city, and Preston 35 sets out a positive direction of travel. These projects will bring jobs, visitors and residents back into the city, and be a catalyst for further investment. I see this as a foundation from which we can kick on to bigger and better things.”

Some of the key regeneration propositions include:

  • Preston Station East Phase 1 – a priority of the Station Quarter Masterplan to provide Grade A office space and deliver a landmark commercial-led, mixed-use development scheme.
  • Harris Quarter Phase 2 – An opportunity to develop a thriving cultural, leisure and conference quarter, anchored by the redevelopment of the Guild Hall.
  • Stoneygate Phase 2 – A focus on sites that can deliver new city centre residential, business and educational uses. An Urban Village Regeneration Area of 25 hectares.
  • Innovate Preston – Positioning Preston at the heart of an innovation eco-system and a natural location for the National Cyber Facility supply chain.
  • Preston Community Health Hub – An integrated ‘one-stop-shop’ of customer-facing health and wellbeing services as part of a wider drive to move services and interventions closer to the community.
  • Access Preston – Cottam Parkway, a £35m new railway station on the Blackpool to Preston line, providing sustainable transport options to almost 10,000 new homes.

Wider projects in the pipeline include Preston Station Quarter future phases which include a masterplan for County Hill and University Walk, future phases on Stoneygate, Preston Riversway Docklands regeneration and a third River Ribble crossing.

To read the prospectus in full or to download a copy visit https://www.investprestoncity.com/

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#WorkingInTheCity, July 25 2024

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On July 25, Preston Partnership will host its third #InTheCity event of 2024, open to our members and guests from the private and public sector, passionate about discussing and shaping the future of Preston.

One of our strategic aims is to bring together an ambitious community of people determined to help Preston realise its potential.

Our #InTheCity event series allows our members to learn about upcoming projects, have their say on big Preston issues, and build relationships over coffee and a croissant.

Our July #WorkingInTheCity event will take place at OneCoWork, the stunning new coworking offices located on Winckley Square.

We will be bringing together a specialist panel to discuss what can make cities stand out as locations of choice for employers and their workforce.

We will also be joined by the new Preston Regeneration Board and hear more details of Preston’s new regeneration plan.

Full details of our guest speakers will be revealed on social media leading up to the event, make sure you’re following us to keep up to date.

Registration

This is a free event, but there are only 100 spaces available. Book your space now to avoid disappointment.

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#InTheCity Apr 18 event wrap-up | Innovation and what that means for the future of Preston

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Our second #InTheCity event was held on Thursday April 24, 2024 at Cotton Court Business Centre, where a busy room made up of our members and guests gathered to learn more about the future of innovation in Preston and the opportunities that projects like the National Cyber Force (NCF) will create.

Positive Preston

The morning began with an update from Preston Partnership board member, Ginette Unsworth, who spoke about her upbringing in Preston and how, after living away from the city, she returned because of the ‘sense of community’ and the exciting opportunities in the city.

Ginette told how the partnership recently helped form a new Preston Regeneration Board (PRB), consisting of senior leaders from UCLan, Lancashire County Council, Preston City Council and the partnership.

The PRB is still in its infancy and would not act as a decision-making board but would focus on creating a single unified voice for future regeneration projects that can feed directly into the Partnership.

Ginette said: “We want to represent your views on this board, feeding up through the partnership and getting the collective view of Preston and what the community want to see.”

There was also an update on membership uptake following the relaunch of the partnership, which has seen 165 new members join since October 2023, as well as nine strategic partners who will form part of a new strategic advisory panel, advising on future policy.

Available opportunities

We were then joined by Holly Smith, innovation consultant at Plexal, who updated us on the work she has been commissioned to complete by the partnership that will help us better understand what innovation is currently happening in Preston and what resources need to be available.

Focussing on three key areas – identifying SMEs, recommending growth areas and identifying innovation space demand – the aim of Holly’s research is to ‘unlock technological progress and cause economic growth’ in our city, allowing our ecosystem to grow and capitalise on the innovation investment in our region.

She identified 162 SMEs currently operating in Preston, 18 of which were tech focussed, and revealed that Preston has received 0.4% of project funds awarded to Lancashire by Innovate UK (roughly £7.2million).

Holly gathered feedback from our members on the current innovation support in Preston. The results showed that there are a number of facilities (Shout Connect, Society1) and programmes (Boost, Edge Hill) in place, but that uptake was relatively low, and that the majority felt that access to innovation funding or grants could be improved.

Her work is ongoing, but she provided some early recommendations which included using groups like Preston Partnership to help deliver the city’s innovation story, creating a home for innovation in the city that includes Grade A office space, and forming innovation clusters made up of likeminded businesses that can be used to attract and retain talent.

She also mentioned further opportunities to increase support for innovation led SMEs by identifying an ecosystem leader who can join up the available support avenues and create connections within the industry.

The future of innovation in Preston

Next up was our innovation panel, which included Dave Carter, honorary knowledge exchange fellow at the University of Manchester; Maya Ellis, innovation lead at Lancashire County Council; and Victoria Millsop, business development manager of cyber solutions at UCLan.

The main topic of discussion was the arrival of the National Cyber Force in early 2025, and the wave of specialist talent that will provide positive social, cultural and educational benefits to the region.

Established in 2020, the NCF is a partnership between defence and intelligence comprising GCHQ, the Ministry of Defence, MI6, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Victoria detailed the university’s involvement in securing the NCF which was put forward at a Lancashire Cyber Partnership Event last November.

This was followed by another event where the NCF spoke openly about their plans in the region and met with members of the public to get a sense of what Lancashire needs – the response was positive, with plans to do another in the near future.

Maya was asked about the upcoming devolution deal and what the council are doing to progress innovation in the region.

She said: “The council has invested “£6million to create a physical space that will enhance what the NCF are doing and attract and retain world class talent.”

She also stated that the bigger role the council plays is by facilitating organisations like the Preston Partnership to ensure everyone’s voice is heard when making decisions about the future of innovation in the city.

Dave then spoke on the arrival of the Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) in Manchester and how his city handled a similar situation that Preston is in right now.

He said: “The focus needed to be on facilitating GCHQ’s plans to attract local talent from business clusters and graduate schemes in order to best nurture the local economy. This can be done by forging strong relationships with universities and SMEs in the region.”

He advised that Preston should do the same by following the recommendations outlined by Holly, highlighting that a strong relationship with UCLan and local innovation centres is critical, as well a strong arts and culture scene and nighttime economy that employees and visitors can enjoy outside of working hours.

Maya moved on to discuss the connectivity between Preston and Salmesbury, and while there are no plans currently to connect the two by rail or tram network, Lancashire County Council are pushing for a membership-based hub near the train station that would provide its employees and visitors with an alternative and more accessible place to visit, work and hold meetings.

Dates for your diary

Ginette closed off the event by reminding our guests about the benefits of joining the partnership, encouraging them to become part of a growing movement to drive Preston forward.

She also shared details of the next #InTheCity event, which will focus on working in Preston, taking place on Thursday July 11 at OneCoWork, in Winckley Square, Preston.

Ginette reminded guests that members of the Preston Partnership board will be attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), from 21 to 23 May in Leeds.

As well as having a stand, our chair John Chesworth be taking part in the ‘Fuelling Lancashire’s Future’ panel debate, which promises insights into the collaborative potential among the private sector, public sector, and universities in Lancashire to foster more opportunities and drive sustainable growth.

The debate will take place at The Cinema Stage Royal Armouries on Wednesday 22 May at 2:15pm.

For further information on our events programme, visit www.prestonpartnership.org/news-and-events/.

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