Preston begins its recovery from the pandemic

Preston begins its recovery from the pandemic

Mar, 8 2021


When a person is struck down with a virus it may be so severe that their livelihood is at stake. They worry about their financial security and the future of their children. It may take a considerable amount of time to recover but it once a person is cured of their ailments they have a more optimistic outlook and are able to achieve more than their did prior to becoming ill.
 
Preston has also been struck down with the corona virus. You’ll note that there has been a deterioration of many of it’s beloved shops and clothing stores. 
 
Thankfully, help is along the way. The city has been awarded £20.9 million from the government’s Towns Fund for a series of city centre regeneration projects which includes a previously - scrapped Youth Zone. 
 
The news comes as part of the Chancellor’s budget and will incorporate areas in the following places:-
  • The Harris
  • Preston Markets
  • The Guild Hall
  • The Bus Station (known as the Harris Quarter)
Young people will benefit from the development of Preston Youth Zone aimed at young people between the ages of 8-19. Lancashire County Council put on hold plans to provide the facility a couple of years ago but it  looks like it is now getting the green light. 
 
This exciting transformation is all part of the new Preston City Investment Plan (CIP). It foresees a 15 year vision to lift the city since it’s relapse from the pandemic. 
 
Below is a list of the other projects set to be part of Preston city life:-
  • Harris Your Place:- A new improved Harris museum which will enhance the current model
  • Animate- Cinema and Leisure Scheme:- In addition to the cinema, bowling and food and drink venues made available.
  • 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. 
  • Illuminate and Integrate:- Aimed at improving pedestrian and cycleway infrastructure using enhanced street lighting. 
  • Animation of public spaces - A project to fund the co-ordination of events in new and existing public spaces in the Harris Quarter. 
In addition Harris Quarter Pop- Ups project will attract more residents and visitors into the city centre at a funding cost of £1 million. The Towns Fund will contribute towards this which has been led by the Preston Partnership whose members include local businesses, organisations and individuals who strongly believe in the growth and development of Preston. 
 
Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, expressed these words of appreciation in response to the bid, 
 
“What’s really important to us about the regeneration of Preston is that is it guided by the people and businesses living and working here, so we’re really proud of the way the City Investment Plan and the Preston Towns Fund bid has been developed and led by the Preston Partnership. It provides a long-term vision for making the Harris Quarter a vibrant and exciting part of the city with a world-class business, leisure and cultural proposition that can enrich the lives of Preston residents and build community wealth and shared prosperity”. 
 
A total of £3.6 billion is contributed to The Towns Fund. It has been established by the government in order to level up towns and cities around the country. In September 2019, 100 towns and cities in England were invited to put forward proposals for funding from the Towns Fund. 
 
Let’s get behind this bid for Preston and watch it recover from it’s current state to a much more refined and integral part of the community. 
 
^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger