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Preston historic Old Post Office building to host festival of British talent

Posted on - 7th May, 2015 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Business, City Centre, Fashion, Preston City Centre, Preston News, Things to Do in and around Preston, What's On in Preston
The Old Post Office has stood empty in the centre of Preston for years Pic: Shabbagaz

The Old Post Office has stood empty in the centre of Preston for years Pic: Shabbagaz

Preston’s Old Post Office is to buzz with life once more as the listed building is transformed into a pop-up department store.

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Best of Britannia is a three-day event showcasing the best in British design, clothes and produce.

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Held from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May the event is also taking over the Market Square with its exhibitors.

Stalls will be inside the building and out on the market

Stalls will be inside the building and out on the market

Lancashire designer Wayne Hemingway MBE is among those backing the event.

He said: ““I have been a fan of Best of Britannia since its inaugural event in 2012. BoB is hitting the zeitgeist with British manufacturing seeing a resurgence.

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“We are at a time when retailers need security of supply (something that the Far East often falls down
on). The realisation of quality are becoming key issues in manufacturing and a growing number of consumers here understand the boost to the UK economy to jobs and to the sustainability and ethical sourcing that ‘Made in the UK’ brings.”

“As a born and bred Lancastrian, who manufactures much of my company’s designs in the county, I am delighted that BOB North is coming to Preston where the impact of the event in a region with such a proud manufacturing and creative heritage is bound to be huge.”

The Old Post Office is to be transformed

The Old Post Office is to be transformed

More than 300 exhibitors are expected to be in place including Britannia Footwear, Maybedaisy, Pinkster, Graham & Brown,Scomadi and the Seafood Pub Company to name a few.

They’ll be showing off their wares and you can expect plenty of free food and drink tasters.

The event will be one for food fans

The event will be one for food fans

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “We’re an innovative and creative county with a real ‘make it’ movement and we’re incredibly proud that Preston will hold the first Best of Britannia event outside of London.”

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Preston City Council is one of the organisations backing the event, and the use of the old Post Office building is one of council leader councillor Peter Rankin’s obsessions. The building was used as a walk-in centre for partygoers during Christmas 2013 but has not seen use since.

From Wednesday 13 May there will be a taste of things to come at Preston railway station with exhibitors giving commuters a try of what’s going to be happening.

Tickets for the event are £4 for adults and free for children. Once bought it gives you access for the whole weekend. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

The event runs from 5pm on Friday 15 May through to 6pm on Sunday 17 May, entry starts from 10am on the Saturday and 10am on the Sunday.

What do you think of the event? Will you be going? Let us know in the comments below

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Preston in pictures Preston Bus 207 PO56 JDX (Scania N94UB / East Lancs Esteem)24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

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