Our final #InTheCity event of 2025 brought Preston Partnership members and guests together at the Harris Museum, newly reopened after a £19m refurbishment.
More than 80 people joined us at the event to reflect on a milestone year for the city and to look ahead to what comes next.
The Harris Museum project sits at the heart of Preston’s £200m Harris Quarter Regeneration Project. Delivery of this project was enabled through the £19m Towns Deal, secured with Preston Partnership’s backing and leadership of the Towns Deal Board.
2025 also saw the acclaimed opening of the Animate complex, home to the new Arc Cinema and a growing line-up of leading restaurants arriving in the city. Aminate is set to create more than 300 jobs and, like the Harris Museum restoration, was enabled through the Preston Partnership-led Towns Deal.
So, after a milestone year for Preston, what’s next?
Chaired by Preston Partnership Head of Business Development, Beckie Joyce, our event featured speakers including Cllr Valerie Wise (Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building Preston City Council), Carl Fraenkl-Rietti (Operations Director at The Mad Giant), and a panel with Gaby Ingham (Head of Fundraising and Communications, Vault Youth Zone) and John Bridge (Owner, Studio John Bridge Architects).
A new Economic Statement for Preston
Beckie revealed the final publication of Preston’s new Economic Statement, following Sarah Thompson (Associate Director, Metro Dynamics) presenting early findings at our July #InTheCity event.
Commissioned by Preston Partnership with support from Metro Dynamics and input from our membership, the statement sets out the opportunities than can drive investment and business growth.
Beckie highlighted key priorities in the report, including shared public and private sector leadership, an agreed approach and investment supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, maximising the opportunity presented by Preston being home to the National Cyber Force, and the creation of a new events and convention arena.
The full statement can be found here.
Preston update from Cllr Valerie Wise
Cllr Wise reaffirmed that 2025 had been a landmark year for Preston, marked by the opening of Animate and the reopening of Harris Museum. Looking ahead, she highlighted two major projects schedule for completion in 2026: the opening of Vault Youth Zone and the construction of the new £20m Old Tram Bridge, at the edge of Avenham Park.
She also pointed to the £9m+ regeneration of the Grade II-listed Amounderness House – another key part of part of the wider Harris Quarter project – as further evidence of the city’s momentum. The Amounderness House scheme will deliver 26 bespoke offices and studios alongside meeting and event space, with an anticipated opening in 2027.
Welcome to Preston, The Mad Giant
In a new feature for our #InTheCIty event, Beckie hosted our first ‘Welcome to Preston’ fireside chat. The inaugural guest was Carl Fraenkl-Rietti, Operations Director at The Mad Giant, the food hall that opened at Animate in September 2025.
Part of The Northern Lights Group, The Mad Giant has quickly built a strong following. Carl shared why Preston stood out as the right location. He said:
“It felt a city on the rise, and we’re seeing positive saturation in the Harris Quarter with the cinema and multiple restaurants increasing awareness and footfall. The reopening of the Harris has helped too.
“We’ve had confidence in Preston from day one. It’s a diverse community of students, professionals and local residents and The Mad Giant offer reflects that. Preston is evolving as a destination and people want an experience beyond a drink. We’ll be hosting live bands and musicians, which we feel will help the city’s cultural economy. Feedback so far has been extremely positive and we go into 2026 with optimism.”
The Preston glass is half full, and empty
The Preston debate focussed on what’s next for Preston. Beckie hosted a panel debate with Cllr Wise, Carl, John and Gaby.
John, founder and owner of John Bridge Studio shared his own story of building a business in the city. He said: “Being based in the city is important to me and our people. It adds a different dimension to our business and culture. We’ve been in Winckley Square, converted an old retail unit on Lune Street into an office, and now we’re on the edge of the Harris Quarter, overlooking the iconic bus station.
“There is a real buzz about being in the city, not just for our people but for visiting clients too. Having a coffee in one of the new places or trying a new restaurant helps build relationships. There are so many people in Preston that are willing to get involved and drive the city forward. Preston Partnership helps bring those people together.
Asked whether Preston is heading in the right direction, John replied: “It is but it’s not enough. Not having a modern arena for shows and events is holding us back immensely. It’s frustrating that we don’t seem to be making progress here. This has to be a priority.”
Cllr Valerie Wise added to the venue conversation. She said: “We know the city needs a venue and an event space, be that for conferences or other events, so it is a priority definitely to have one.”
Gaby underlined the importance of young people to Preston’s future. She said: “Around a quarter of Preston’s population is under 20, and this next generation will shape the city’s future.
“Vault sits right at the heart of community and regeneration. It brings together young people, local businesses, families and public services. And it will add value beyond the building itself. Throughout the week, we’ll bring hundreds of adults into the city for drop-off and collections, generating footfall for venues in the city.”
On what Preston needs to do next, Gaby added: “We need to leverage the power of our community. The Ptown Collective, another venture I am involved in, is a great example of local people coming together to create something good.
“Preston Partnership is doing a brilliant job of joining all the dots too. I’ve seen friends leave Preston for places like London and Munich but I want to stay and play my role in making Preston the best city it can be. I’m meeting so many people who share this passion.”
Carl echoed this sentiment: “We’ve been really impressed by how many active community groups there are in the city. We meet new ones all the time and ultimately it’s these people who create the buzz and visibility.”
Closing remarks
Beckie Joyce concluded: “It felt fitting to hold today’s event in the new Harris. The museum was founded by a Preston businessman, Edmund Harris, and many moons later it has been restored through a joint effort of the business community and the local authority.
“What’s come through strongly today is the community spirit driving Preston forward. The public sector can’t do everything alone and that’s where Preston Partnership and the private sector fits.
“2025 has been a pivotal year for Preston and we should be proud. But the big challenge now is how do we make every year a pivotal one for Preston?”
Preston Partnership and 2026
We’ll be revealing our 2026 event dates in January. If you would like to join the community of over 100 members working together to help Preston realise its potential, visit our join page and choose your membership package.
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News | November 9 2025
