Lottery cash is just the ticket for two Preston townhouses

The Heritage Lottery Fund has stumped up £100,000 to bring adjoining properties 1/2 Cross Street back to their former glory after more than a decade standing empty and forlorn.

The grant follows a near £1m contribution by Lottery bosses to the restoration of Winckley Square Gardens two years ago.

The houses, which were previously used as offices by a firm of solicitors, will be the second project under the Winckley Square Townscape Heritage Initiative to improve key historic buildings.

Work has begun to restore the properties to form the headquarters for project and building consultancy Anderton Gables.

MD Jonathan Shaw said: “With the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund we will be able to rejuvenate the building and transform it into an ultra-modern workspace that our staff deserve.

Work has already begun on-site and we are hoping to move into our new head office early next year.”

Coun Peter Moss, cabinet member for planning at the city council, added: “It’s fantastic to see another historical Preston building brought back into use. This supports ongoing regeneration projects in the city and will help to sustain our economic growth.”