Preston's 'Rocking Church' gets ready to roll as a new HQ

Sector Security Services has bought the former St Paul’s Church and plans to move in after outgrowing its current premises in Blackpool Road, Ribbleton.

Town Hall bosses have agreed to the move after hearing the company does not intend to make any external or internal alterations to the Grade II Listed building (inset) which is approaching its 200th birthday.

Sector Security snapped up the landmark site earlier this year after it had stood empty since February 2020. Rock FM moved out and transferred its presenters to Manchester and its sales team to new premises in Preston

The building, which ceased to be a working church in 1973, was home to commercial radio in Preston from 1982 when a consortium launched Red Rose Radio. But after 38 years of broadcasting the station departed, leaving the building’s future in doubt.

One of its former presenters, I’m A Celebrity star Jordan North, launched his career there and called it “The Rocking Church.”

In agreeing to the conversion to office accommodation the council said that the heritage value of the old church would be unaffected.

“As the proposed change of use of the building to offices at both ground floor and first floor level does not include any internal or external alterations or enlargements to the listed building it is considered that the proposal would not harm the historic character of the building as the existing layout at all levels would be retained.”