City leaders will meet police after it was revealed a hit series shining the light on emergency services is set to be filmed in Preston.
Channel 4 bosses have picked out Preston, along with Blackburn, to be among the possible destinations for the next series of 999: What’s Your Emergency?
The first series, which focused on Blackpool, saw TV cameras follow the resort’s police, fire and ambulance crews 24 hours a day.
Although it was praised for showing the tough job faced by emergency services, it was slammed by some in the tourism industry for showing the destination in a negative light.
Blackpool Council leader Simon Blackburn took to Facebook to say he would not have allowed the programme to be filmed had he been given the choice.
The concerns have now been shared by Preston Council leader Peter Rankin, who said: “I think it is safe to say that we are concerned.
“We are concerned about the reaction of Blackpool Council to the programme and we have raised these concerns with the emergency services. I am due to have a meeting with the Chief Constable and (Police and Crime Commissioner) Clive Grunshaw.
“All programmes like to sensationalise, and my concerns would be around anything that could show the city in a poor light.
“The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council feels the same way as I do.
“My understanding is there hasn’t been a firm decision made yet.”
Pat Francioni of the Alumhurst Hotel on Charnley Road, Blackpool, said: “We wish Preston good luck.
“All the films were of drunks and drugs and problems. We were furious about it.
“That happens in every city but lots of my guests have said if they didn’t know better they wouldn’t come to Blackpool.
“We see the police and the emergency services work very, very hard and I take my hat off to some of the rubbish they have to put up with, but it felt like they just wanted to sensationalise everything.
“I imagine there will be concerns about losing the ‘Proud Preston’ image, and so there should be.
“I went to school in Preston and I just think it’s headed for trouble.”
Ronnie Fitzpatrick, of the Olde Dog and Partridge on Friargate said: “When I saw the programme in Blackpool all they seemed to do was look at the police and concentrate on all the bad, like drunk women lying in the streets.
“There didn’t seem to be any balance.
“I wouldn’t be too keen on them coming to Preston and giving certain areas bad names.
“People might get the impression that Church Street is like Beirut on a Saturday night, but it’s not at all.
“All the pubs around here are equipped with CCTV so we all know what’s going on. I think the show will have a negative impact on the city’s nightlife.”
No filming has started on the production yet.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We are in discussions with the production company about a second series along with our colleagues in Lancashire Fire and Rescue, North West Ambulance Service and other key stakeholders.
“The research phase is under way and different areas across the county, including Preston, are being considered but a final decision has yet to be made.”
A Channel 4 spokesman: “We are in discussions with Lancashire Police, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service about a second series of the critically-acclaimed 999: What’s Your Emergency?.
“The second series is planned to take a bigger, broader look at the work of the emergency services across the county, rather than being focused on one town.”
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