Collaboration key to helping Preston thrive, MP hears
Businesses across the Preston City Centre have highlighted the importance of collaboration, investment and continued dialogue to help the city centre thrive.
Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Town Centres, took part in a round table discussion at Preston City Hall alongside representatives from stakeholders, the retail and hospitality sector and council representatives.
The discussion explored the challenges and opportunities facing Preston’s high streets, including investment, business rates and the role national policy can play in supporting the city’s retail, leisure and night time economy.
Participants highlighted the potential for more events to increase footfall, alongside the importance of maintaining a strong mix of established brands and independent businesses to support a vibrant city centre throughout the day and evening.
Organised by Preston’s Business Improvement District (BID), which is operated by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, the round table also emphasised the importance of partnership between businesses, the local authority and other stakeholders in supporting Preston’s future prosperity.
A range of issues were discussed, including connectivity into the city, ageing infrastructure, the availability and condition of vacant commercial premises and increasing competition from other towns and cities.
Marvin Baldwin, owner of Blue Cherry Leisure, said: “There is a real opportunity for Preston and we need to work together to attract further investment into the city, which in turn can help generate greater footfall.”
James Pope, franchisee at Specsavers, added: “There is an opportunity for the council, businesses and property owners to work more closely together to bring vacant premises back into productive use. Improving the condition and occupancy of these properties would make a positive contribution to the city centre.”
Nick Carter, owner of The 85 Group, remarked: “We should be ambitious about attracting well-known brands to Preston while continuing to support our smaller independent businesses. Bringing more major events to the city could also play an important role. A strong combination of events, larger retailers and independents would help strengthen Preston’s offer.”
Cllr Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building and Deputy Leader of Preston City Council, responded: “We want to see a Preston, in which businesses and our residents thrive. We want a new, or refurbished, Guild Hall and disused shops brought back into use, but these ambitions require significant investment.
“We want to work with the business community and understand the issues, so I hope events like this can help build an even more collaborative approach.”
Chairing the round table, Babs Murphy, Chief Executive of the Chamber, added: “This was a constructive and valuable discussion and it is important that the dialogue continues. There is a shared ambition to see Preston succeed and by bringing the public and private sectors together, we can identify practical opportunities to support the city’s continued development.
“There is clearly a willingness among businesses to play their part and the Chamber, working alongside the BID and our partners, will continue to champion and support Preston’s high streets.”
Following the round table and a tour of the city, Patrick Hurley MP commented: “It has been valuable to hear directly from Preston’s business community about both the challenges and opportunities facing the city. I will take these views back to the APPG and Government as part of the wider discussion about how we can support the revival of high streets across the country.
“It is encouraging to see the willingness among Preston’s business community to work collaboratively and play an active role in the city’s future.”