Watch: The £3M project first kicked off in July and lots of work is underway.

The regeneration work on Friargate South and the Flag Market is set to continue “for another few weeks”, a Preston City Council spokesperson has said.

The multi-million pound improvement works have been going on for the past three months, and have seen the entire road dug up and resurfaced in an effort to make Preston a safer and more attractive place to visit.

It’s the result of a £20 million Local Regeneration Fund secured by the council in 2023, and includes new paving, seating, and improved pedestrian access on the roads around The Harris.

In their plans, Preston City Council described the area around the Flag Market as “dated, tired, and a patchwork of materials”, and said they hoped the improvement works would result in a “missing piece of the jigsaw”.

Friargate South, pictured as work got under way over the summer - the longstanding gates seen here have since been removed | Iconic Media

placeholder image — Friargate South, pictured as work got under way over the summer - the longstanding gates seen here have since been removed | Iconic Media

According to the consultation document, many of the streets that connect the Harris Quarter to the rest of the city centre had “been designed around vehicular movement [and so] limiting the potential for cycle and pedestrian use”.

Changes to Friargate South, when finished, will include a shared pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle zone, with the materials matching those already used on Friargate North.

There will also be three granite-paved courtesy crossings and two loading bays, as well as a feature paved area where Friargate joins Orchard Street.

It is hoped to improve footfall and safety in the area, as well as encourage more local businesses to offer outdoor dining.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post, a spokesperson confirmed that work to the city centre was going well, and that there were no urgent updates to issue to local residents and businesses who may be curious about how things are going.

Works taking place on Friargate in Preston City Centre. | Kelvin Lister-Stuttard, National World

He told the Post: “The regeneration works are set to be going on for another few weeks as they try and work to improve the area.

“[The regeneration project] was just a matter of trying to get improvements done as and where possible. The last time any works like that, on that scale, were done was more than eight years ago.

“There’s been other works that have been going on towards the University of Lancashire campus, so the work on Friargate and the Flag Market is just a way of matching everything on this side more with the actual town centre itself.

“It’s all about making sure everything keeps updated and on top of.”