Preston

Named the best city in the North West to live and work for two years running by Demos-PwC.

A once-in-a-lifetime transformation

£434m

£2.3bn

£1bn

20,000

Total value of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal

Commercial investment

Economic growth over the next 10 years

New jobs

Preston

Preston has been on an upward trajectory since it was granted city status in 2002. Now the third-largest city in the North West, it continues to go from strength-to-strength.

Thanks to a package of private and public sector deals, the city is experiencing a ‘once-in-a-lifetime transformation’ that’s set to level-up its social and business infrastructure with a total forecasted growth of £1bn over the next decade.

Preston has been a leading force for business in the UK and the wider European and global markets since the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is home to the highest number of registered enterprises in Lancashire (5,165) and continues to attract new talent every year, including many from the University of Central Lancashire and beyond looking to put down permanent roots.

With enviable transport links, established business and education hubs and a clear path for sustained growth, the city has an exciting future ahead as both a place to live and invest.

  • The city has a strong high-street offering, as well as markets, independent and vintage outlets, along with three shopping centres and two retail parks.

  • The focal point of this visionary £50m project is the construction of a brand new market hall and the restoration of two Grade 2 Listed Victorian canopies. The end result will be a quarter that’s packed with popular food and drink spots, traditional market stalls, a contemporary cinema theatre and more.

  • Award-winning green space—last year seven of Preston’s parks received Green Flags, a Green Heritage accreditation or a Green Flag Community Award. Plus, the UK’s largest national park, The Lake District a short journey north, with the Peak District just to the south.

Preston Culture

The Stoneygate Masterplan

A long-term vision that will span the next decade and more, the Stoneygate Masterplan was put forward in 2019 and given the green light in June 2020.

The scheme will create a vibrant mixed-use ‘urban village’ in the city centre, transforming several districts, including some underutilised sites, into a trendy area to live, work and play.

The Stoneygate Masterplan at a glance:

> 25 hectares

> 1,600 new homes

> 15 year regeneration scheme

> New cycle and pedestrian links