window.dotcom = window.dotcom || { cmd: [] }; window.dotcom.ads = window.dotcom.ads || { resolves: {enabled: [], getAdTag: []}, enabled: () => new Promise(r => window.dotcom.ads.resolves.enabled.push(r)), getAdTag: () => new Promise(r => window.dotcom.ads.resolves.getAdTag.push(r)) }; setTimeout(() => { if(window.dotcom.ads.resolves){ window.dotcom.ads.resolves.enabled.forEach(r => r(false)); window.dotcom.ads.resolves.getAdTag.forEach(r => r("")); window.dotcom.ads.enabled = () => new Promise(r => r(false)); window.dotcom.ads.getAdTag = () => new Promise(r => r("")); console.error("NGAS load timeout"); } }, 5000)
Skip to content

Revamp of city's cultural quarter takes first steps

Lynette Horsburgh
BBC News, Lancashire
Google The exterior of Grade I listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library in Preston on a sunny day.Google
Stage one of the revamp of the city's Harris Quarter includes a new pedestrian and cycle-friendly space

The first phase of transforming Preston's "cultural and civic heart" has been completed.

Stage one of the revamp of the city's Harris Quarter includes a new pedestrian and cycle-friendly space on Lancaster Road and lighting which projects moving images on the pavements and shows the way to Preston Market and the £45m Animate entertainment centre.

The city council said the lighting will showcase Preston's "fine architecture" including the Grade I-listed Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library which was established in 1893 which is currently closed for a £16m refurbishment.

The second phase of work, which will focus on Lancaster Road, is due to begin later this year.

The lighting has also been designed to minimise energy usage, improve the quality of street lighting and make streets feel safer, the city council said.

Work on phase two is set to start later this year.

'Positive ambience'

It is being delivered by Maple Grove Developments and Eric Wright Civil Engineering on behalf of the city council, under the Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme with funding from the Towns Fund, Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council.

Valerie Wise, city council cabinet member for community wealth building, said: "The proposed works are focused on improving the quality of the public spaces and creating safer and better paths between existing spaces and transport hubs such as the bus station.

"The aim is to encourage footfall and visitors to stay longer into the evening, ing the Harris Quarter as a go-to cultural destination in the city."

Nick Hague, project director at Maple Grove Developments, said the scheme has been designed to "sympathetically create a contemporary feel to the area without dismissing the heritage of the Harris Quarter".

He added: "It'll promote safety and assurance while helping to create a positive ambience."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

More on this story
Related internet links