Twentieth Century Society comments on Preston bus station demolition plans

In an article published in December the Twentieth Century Society said it “deplores Preston City Council’s decision… to demolish their iconic 1960s bus station. This short-sighted decision would rob Preston of its most recognizable landmark building, and deny a legacy of superb architecture to future generations.”

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They remain convinced that the Bus Station could be better refurbished in an  imaginatively way and open it up for re-use.

They go on to say “Its strong presence could accommodate relatively radical changes without diminishing its architectural impact.”

The council state that demolition would cost £1.8m – a fraction of this would maintain the building while proposals to retain the building – are being worked up.

The Twentieth Century Society point out that, built in 1969 to the designs of Building Design Partnership, the building featured on the World Monuments Fund 2012 international list of historic sites at risk. The building is a rare survivor of the transport mega-structures of the 1960s and is one of the most significant Brutalist buildings in the UK.

The Twentieth Century Society is a membership organisation which campaigns for the conservation of the best C20th architecture. It was founded in 1976 as the Thirties Society and is now recognised by government and has a statutory role in the planning process.

Do you agree with the Twentieth Century Society that the Bus Station retained, refurbished for re-use? Let us know below