2026 has had a busy start behind the scenes for Preston Partnership. We have been working alongside our strategic partners to navigate the Partnership into its next phase, progress our shared ambition of helping Preston realise its potential, and amplify the positive stories about Preston to audiences far and wide.

I am really pleased to share that Preston Partnership has secured funding, from Preston Business Improvement District and Preston City Council to enable us to evolve to our next phase of operations. What this funding means is that we can move away from subscription-based membership (making membership and our quarterly events free of charge), and re-focus our energy on working toward our core aims:

• Build an ambitious partnership
• Shape Preston’s future
• Tell Preston’s story

We are extremely grateful to both Preston Business Improvement District and Preston City Council for their generous support that will enable us to facilitate the Partnership and quarterly programme in the most effective way.

I would also like to draw your attention to the current Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation. You may recall that the Partnership formally threw our support behind proposals to create a new unitary authority  for Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire. Now it is your turn to have your say. You can view all of the proposals and give your responses on the dedicated LGR website for Lancashire.

Finally, I am thrilled to announce that Preston Partnership is a sponsor for the Proud Preston Awards, a celebration of the people, organisations and initiatives that make this city such a vibrant and inspiring place to live and work. Congratulations to all of the finalists who were announced earlier this week, it is great to see so many worthy nominations across the wide variety of categories.

Join us for our first quarterly panel event for 2026: Preston Residential.

Date: 26 March

Time: 8am – 10am

Place: OneCoWork – 33-34 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3JJ.

Our guest speaker, Chris Hayward, and our panel will be explore topics such as:

• How Preston’s residential offer is growing.
• The ingredients for successful City Living.
• Emerging plans for Stoneygate.

While you’re there, you’ll have the opportunity to network over hot drinks and breakfast foods with a room full of professionals, including business and public sector leaders. 

As always, this event will be a great chance to keep up to date with what is happening in Preston.

Space is limited, so book your free ticket now.

About Chris Hayward, Director of Development and Housing, Preston City Council.

Chris has worked in local government for several Lancashire authorities for over 37 years. He has overseen the growth and regeneration of Preston over the last 15 years, including the City Deal, a £450m programme of infrastructure investment creating 20,000 new jobs and 17,000 new homes. 

His planning background has ensured the development is plan-led, supporting the Council’s ambitious growth proposals. He is currently managing the delivery of over £200m of investment in the Harris Quarter in the city centre, including Preston’s new leisure offer and council-owned Animate.

Regeneration and tackling deprivation are at the heart of everything Preston City Council seeks to do, and in 2021 Chris and his planning and regeneration team were successful in helping the Council win the National RTPI Award for its City Living Strategy, the first NW winner.

Meet the panel:

Stuart Sage: Co-founder and Director of Hive Land & Planning, an award-winning planning and surveying practice. Stuart is a town planner with over 25 year’s experience in the public and private sector, with a track record of delivery. 

Claire Lowe: Head of Space & Property Management (interim) at The University of Lancashire. 

John Heaton: UK Property Investment Specialist and Owner of the Heaton Group, a specialist property development company with a substantial portfolio of commercial and residential property throughout the North West.

Stephen Heverin: Director of Growth & Regeneration at Onward Homes.

Make sure you save the date for our upcoming events:

• 25 June
• 24 September
• 26 November

About Preston Partnership

Preston Partnership is a private sector led membership organisation. We bring together businesses and the public sector to help make Preston a prosperous city to live, work, visit and invest in.

Find out more and become a member: www.prestonpartnership.org