Local dignitaries came together at the new-look Peace Garden this week to mark the official completion of a £14.7m scheme to transform Preston city centre.

The renovation of the Peace Garden is the final piece of major work in the Transforming Friargate North and Ringway project.

The scheme aims to change the way we travel in and around Preston city centre by improving connectivity for bus passengers, cyclists and walkers, and has brought about the pedestrianisation of Friargate, making the area more attractive for residents and visitors alike.

The project is being delivered by Lancashire county council, in partnership with Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire, as part of its successful Transforming Cities Fund bid.

The Mayor of Preston officially opening the Peace Gardner at the Friargate North and Ringway project.

Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “This ambitious initiative, aimed at revitalising Preston’s city centre, has now come to fruition, creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space that encourages sustainable travel.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the partners, engineers, and community members who contributed to this project and for your patience.

“This has been a massive undertaking that has brought many challenges that we have had to overcome, and its completion marks a significant milestone in Preston’s history, and future.”

Work on the Transforming Friargate North and Ringway scheme began in 2021 on Corporation Street.

Ahead of the International Day of Peace on Saturday, representatives from the county council, Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire came together at the Peace Garden, which has been revitalised through the project.

The Mayor of Preston, Cllr Phil Crowe, and Cllr Alf Clempson, vice chairman of Lancashire County Council, had the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially mark the completion of the scheme.

They were joined by local artist Salina Somalya, who was commissioned for a special mural at the revitalised Peace Garden, which features poems and artwork etched into the concrete paving.

Salina was commissioned to create a central feature design that continued the link with the peace theme. The design had to include a dove motif to maintain the link with the site’s history yet provide a fresh piece of artwork to rejuvenate the space.

Salina Somalya said: “My concept was to consider a motif of the dove/peace symbol that referenced back to the history of the site as well as represented the present and future people of Preston, illustrating how we can live in harmony with one another through our customs, celebrations and language.

“I wanted to implement a design that was sensitive to the diverse communities within Preston, expressive and celebratory.

“I’m chuffed to have been awarded this commission on my home turf and to have the opportunity to enjoy the Peace Garden with the rest of the Preston and wider communities.”

A commemorative red plaque is also incorporated into the landscaping of the Peace Garden in memory of Mary Elizabeth Slater, a field nurse from Preston who served in the Spanish Civil war before returning to nursing in London during the blitz.

The plaque was originally unveiled in the Peace Garden June 2018 by the Preston Historical Society. It was removed whilst the improvement works were carried out to keep it from being damaged and has now been reinstated into its rightful place.

Cllr Nweeda Khan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice at Preston City Council said: “Preston is proud of its status as a City of Sanctuary that welcome refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world that need a safe haven from conflict and persecution. The Peace Garden is symbolic of the city’s commitment to our pledge to help and care for those in need and sends out a message of peace and hope to all our citizens.

“The garden is a restful corner of the busy city, a place where people can go for a few minutes of quiet reflection, or to take a few minutes to read the inspirational messages of hope and peace that are incorporated into the Peace Wall and are integral to the design of the Peace Garden.”

Claire Lowe, Strategic Development Lead at the University of Central Lancashire, said: “Friargate North links our University to the city centre so it’s essential for our student population that this area is a safe, attractive and vibrant space. The project has delivered a street with a welcoming atmosphere and the Peace Garden perfectly complements this.”

Minister for the Local Transport, Simon Lightwood said: “This scheme will deliver huge improvements which will transform transport across Preston.

“Improved walking and cycling infrastructure will deliver greener journeys and reduce congestion in and around the city. From buses to walking and cycling, we will continue to ensure everyone has access to affordable and reliable transport, however they choose to travel.”

For more information about the scheme, visit: Transforming Friargate North and Ringway – Lancashire County Council.

News courtesy of Invest Preston.

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/.

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.

Representatives from Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and the main contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering, met on the banks of the River Ribble today to mark the next big milestone in the life of Preston’s famous Tram Bridge.

The Old Tram Bridge, which has been a key transport and active travel link for visitors and commuters between Preston and South Ribble for over 200 years, has been demolished in just 14 days, ahead of the projected timetable, making way for a new bridge to be installed.

The new tram bridge project, costing around £8m is a key project within the City Council’s ‘Active Preston’ programme, which is delivering over £20m of sustainable active travel and park regeneration schemes across the city.

Cllr Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said: “This is a rare and historic occasion, a small snapshot in history where, for a brief moment Preston is without it’s iconic Tram Bridge. Today is the start of a new era for our bridge which will continue to deliver a really important sustainable active travel route in and out of the city for pedestrians, cyclists (and horses!) We can’t wait to see the construction commence which will serve our residents for many more generations to come.”

Cllr Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “The new bridge will restore an important active travel route between South Ribble and Preston city centre for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

“Providing good sustainable transport links that help people to stay healthy is a key aspect of our levelling up ambitions and is why we have contributed £1m to this worthwhile project.”

What’s next?

• Work on the foundations for the first of two piers in the river will start soon in order to complete before the winter period.
• Work to the abutments and the land pier can then be completed before work starts on the second river pier in Summer 2025.
• The bridge will be lifted into place in Autumn next year and work will complete by early 2026.
• In partnership with the Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation, the project team has taken significant measures to minimise the environmental impact of the demolition.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering spokesperson Diane Bourne, Managing Director said: “We are looking forward to delivering this much needed bridge, that will restore a link between Preston and South Ribble. Our team has considerable experience in highways and infrastructure improvements, especially the design and installation of bridges. We’re proud to have been appointed to this significant project that is in the heart of our community and will bring benefits to the local community for years to come.”

The new Tram Bridge is being delivered by Preston City Council part-funded by the £20m grant awarded by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with an additional £1m from Lancashire County Council who are supporting and project managing the construction of the bridge alongside Eric Wright Civil Engineering.

Boasting a projected life span of 120 years, the bridge will provide a sustainable long term active travel route with minimal environmental impact.

The design, created by DYSE Structural Engineers and visualised by local architect Studio John Bridge, was unveiled earlier this year and reflects both the needs of the local community and the picturesque setting of the bridge.

Further information

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.

News courtesy Invest Preston.

Work on a significant project to improve the public realm and lighting near the new £45 million Animate leisure scheme has started work.

The Illuminate and Integrate works aim to encourage pedestrian and cycle movement at a section of Lancaster Road adjacent to the Market Hall and Old Vicarage Road.

Works include a pedestrian and cycle-friendly space with high-quality paving, trees, and other features such as public seating and an expanded circulation space around the market to create opportunities such as alfresco dining. This new space will also offer improved linkages to the St John Shopping Centre.

The project, part of the £200 million Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, will also incorporate additional lighting improvements.

Delivery of the scheme involves works to the Ormskirk junction from now for four weeks (finishing end of September 2024). This includes two weeks of night works. As part of the Animate scheme, the associated works on Ormskirk Road will enable access to the new underground car park.

Works on Old Vicarage commenced on the 28 August and will continue for a period of 12 weeks (finishing end November 2024).

The work being undertaken on Old Vicarage forms the first phase of the Illuminate and Integrate scheme and includes widening the pavement to improve pedestrian access, new lighting including projection lighting that will animate the street scene, and a new avenue of trees. The aim is to improve and make safer the pedestrian route from the bus station to the new £45m Animate scheme and Preston Markets.

The first phase of improvement works will cost approximately £1 million and is part funded by an £800k Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth grant by Lancashire County Council.

Phase 2 is expected to commence in spring 2025 and will involve Lancaster Road improvements and new lighting within the wider Harris Quarter.

Preston City Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building, said: “We’re thrilled to see this pivotal project in the Harris Quarter moving forward, complimenting other initiatives in the area, such as The Harris and Animate.

“The Illuminate and Integrate project will revitalise this part of the city centre, bringing fresh energy while also enhancing street safety.”

John Chesworth, Chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board, added: “While the Harris Quarter is well connected to the rest of the city centre via an existing network of streets, many of these routes are dated, having been designed around vehicular movement, limiting the potential for cycle and pedestrian use.

“Illuminate and Integrate will complement the excellent architecture within the Harris Quarter while improving the quality of the public spaces. A key aspect of the scheme is to encourage footfall and dwell time in the day and evening, which is allied to our vision for the Harris Quarter to be the go-to cultural destination in Preston.”

Nick Hague, project director at Maple Grove Developments, concluded: “The Illuminate and Integrate works are an important piece of the jigsaw in the regeneraton of the Harris Quarter and will help to stimulate cultural, economic and social viability.”

Further information

Towns Fund – Town Deals
On 27 July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement.

Preston’s City Investment Plan is a 15-year vision for Preston, setting out Preston’s long-term objectives and strategy to transform the City, targeting resources and aligning public and private sector investments to respond to needs and capitalise on opportunities for positive change.

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone. For more information, please see: www.prestoncommunitywealth.org

Projects included in Preston’s £200 million Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme are:

• Animate: £45m multi-use entertainment and leisure complex anchored by a state-of-the-art cinema and bowling venue next to Preston Markets
• Educate Preston: The creation of a new Careers and Employment, Information, Advice and Guidance Hub in the Harris Quarter.
• Renewal of Harris Quarter Assets: Investment to support the redevelopment of publicly-owned buildings in the Harris Quarter to support new cultural and community uses, including Amounderness House.
• Illuminate and Integrate: A project to deliver improved pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure, street lighting and other public realm improvements within the Harris Quarter.
• Preston Youth Zone: The development of Preston Youth Zone as a state-of-the-art facility for young people in Preston aged eight to 19.
• #HarrisYourPlace: The refurbishment of the Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, enhancing and protecting the building for future generations.
• Preston Pop Ups: £1m pop-up programme of events bringing together new temporary event space, artworks and improvements to public realm infrastructure, aimed at boosting visitor activity in the Harris Quarter

News courtesy of Invest Preston.

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.

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.

Become a member of Preston Partnership

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.

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.

Preston City Council has agreed a 15-year lease with the Northern Lights Group (NLG) for a new food hall at Animate, the £45+ million entertainment and leisure complex, which is being delivered by Maple Grove Developments.

Animate has already attracted big names such as Arc Cinema and Hollywood Bowl, several national food retailer brands, forming part of the city’s ongoing regeneration programme.

The Northern Lights Group will create and run a cocktail bar and four bespoke food kiosks to be let to small businesses.

The Northern Lights Group is one of the region’s largest independent hospitality groups. Speaking on behalf of the company Joe Foster said: “This is another incredibly exciting opportunity for us. As part of our growth strategy, we have been identifying new locations across the region, and Animate is the perfect fit. We look forward to opening our doors in early 2025 and serving the people of Preston with delicious food.”

John Chesworth, chairman of Preston Partnership said: “Animate is a major asset in the city’s regeneration as it will help draw more people into Preston, but it’s acting as a catalyst for further growth and as footfall increases, we’ll undoubtedly see businesses want to invest here.

“Preston is really starting to flourish and we’re now seeing the fruits of everyone’s hard work in helping make the city an attractive place to live, work and play. The Northern Lights Group choosing Preston as a place to do business is a testament to what’s being achieved here.”

Andrew Dewhurst, development director at Maple Grove Developments, continued: “The Northern Lights Group is well accustomed with the concept of food halls, successfully operating throughout the North West. Choosing Animate for this latest food hall concept only adds to the draw of Preston as a place to visit.

“In terms of the site development, Eric Wright Construction is continuing to make excellent progress. The brickwork is nearing completion, the tenterhook panels are installed, and the majority of the glass panelling is in place. We’re working towards a completion date this autumn. The tenants can then begin to fit out and furnish their units before Animate launches in early 2025.”

Animate is one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme.

Deputy Leader of Preston City Council, Cllr Martyn Rawlinson, said: “Our ambition for Animate has always been to provide independent operators to be part of this Council-owned entertainment and leisure development and trade alongside national brands which will help build a resilient and inclusive economy for all. Having the Northern Lights Group at Animate will help us deliver an attractive offer for the people of Preston and wider Lancashire while contributing to the city’s ongoing social and economic regeneration.”

Northern Lights Group will run the bar unit directly, but will be looking to recruit local operators for the other food outlets. The company has a strong social value ethos and provides ‘back into work’ training and ongoing support to local, start-ups and new food kiosk operators in the Food Halls through its business operation model. Its commitment to social value is supported by the Council, which will work with the Northern Lights Group in line with its ongoing commitment to Community Wealth Building in Preston.

Bosses at Northern Lights Group are also looking to appoint a local ambassador to a Board that will oversee the Preston Food Hall to strengthen and grow local community connections in the city.

Preston was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021, and the Harris Quarter is a unique part of the city centre undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering.

Bradys and Smith Young are the joint lettings agents for Animate and advised Maple Grove Developments. The letting leaves just two units available at Animate. For details visit Preston City Council – units to let in Animate.

News courtesy of Invest Preston.

(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/

Lancashire County Council is set to host Convention of the North 2025, it can be revealed.

The event will be held at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston next year on the 27 and 28 of February 2025, with more details to be announced later this year.

Convention of the North 2025 will bring together business, community, academic, and political leaders to discuss how they can address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the North of England.

This year, the discussions will be crucial in the post-election period, where it is essential for the North to present a clear, coordinated, cross-party agenda to the new government.

Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “It’s a privilege to host the Convention of the North in Lancashire in 2025.

“This event provides a fantastic opportunity to unite our leaders across the North to respond collectively to the new government agenda and deliver on our ambitious regional plans.

“A successful North is a prerequisite for a successful UK economy. The scale, nature, and importance of the North means it has a vital role in driving national growth and the event provides an opportunity for Lancashire to showcase and align its exciting plans with neighbouring regions for advanced engineering and manufacturing, future aerospace, cyber security, and clean growth.”

Since its inception in 2018, Convention of the North has been a pivotal forum for fostering collaboration across sectors. Previous conventions have been held in Leeds, Gateshead, Rotherham, Liverpool, and Manchester, each building on the momentum to create a “powerful, unifying voice of the North.”

Professor Graham Baldwin, University of Central Lancashire Vice-Chancellor, said: “Convention of the North 2025 will continue the meaningful collaboration between Government, academia, and business for the good of the northern economy and we are delighted to be able to facilitate this.

“It’s wonderful news for the University of Central Lancashire, the city of Preston and the wider region that we are hosting this prestigious event.

“Fostering regional growth, innovation and collaboration across the North is essential to achieving the national aspirations for growth and development. Universities across the North are instrumental in this process so it is fitting that through hosting we can show what we and others have to offer.”

Clare Hayward MBE DL, Co-Chair of the Convention, said: “The Convention of the North is a remarkable opportunity to elevate the profile of the North on an international stage. As co-chair, I’m looking forward to taking part in some thought-provoking discussions about the future of our region.

“Each Convention presents a new opportunity to collaborate and build a thriving, well-connected North, unlocking the region’s full potential.”

Keynote speakers and the full programme will be announced later this year, promising an exciting and impactful agenda.

News courtesy of Convention of the North.