'˜Neglected' shopping street assured it won't be forgotten

Preston’s Church Street has been earmarked as next-in-line for refurbishment, once a £1m revamp of New Hall Lane has been completed.

County Hall leader Coun Jennifer Mein has promised the historic thoroughfare between the Minster and the prison won’t be left out of a huge project to transform the heart of the city.

“Let’s be honest, it wouldn’t make sense to leave Church Street as it is,” Coun Mein told the Evening Post. “That will come next. It’s quite an exciting time for Preston with all the work that is going on.”

Businesses in Church Street have been feeling left out since New Hall Lane was announced as next for a spruce up following on from a £3.4m project in Fishergate, the £23.3m bus station and youth zone scheme, the redevelopment of the Markets Quarter, improvements to Winckley Square, construction of the new Queens Retail Park behind Stanley Street and the privately-funded Guild Hall revamp.

Coun Mein was at the bus station this week to unveil new-look designs for the Grade 2 Listed building.

She said: “This will link in with the Markets Quarter and it is just part of a great big project that will rejuvenate Preston city centre. Church Street won’t be left out - I think it will be next on the horizon.”

City councillor John Swindells said in November: “It’s the intention to get the regeneration of Church Street through to the Queens Retail Park, and the whole linkage of the bus station and the Fishergate as far as the Minster.

“Hopefully, it would eventually go as far as the junction of London Road. It’s one of the most neglected parts of Preston.”