New business district will inject life into city centre (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

New business district will inject life into city centre

12:02pm Monday 27th August 2007

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A multi million pound project to create a new Central Business District for Preston has moved a step forward this week.

This district is the vital heart of any city, and I am pleased to learn that the council has appointed an advisor to look at the development and planning issues of this scheme.

So far the project includes plans to create an office quarter in the city centre around Ringway and Friargate.

I am constantly told by the local business community that much of these areas are not utilised properly, especially the north side of Friargate, ever since Ringway cut the road in two, forcing shoppers to cross a major road Whilst the scheme is still in its early stages, it has funding agreed from the North West Regional Development Agency, surveyors to act as specialist consultants, and now planning advisors.

I am confident this will inject life into the city centre, which some criticise for not having a unified approach to business in this important area.

Currently the main areas for offices, for instance, are Winckly Square, and parts of Ringway.

Creating a new district will allow further room for investment and improvement.

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