
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/.
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