A business owner has spoken of his relief his city centre cafe is no longer fenced off by roadworks.

Ham and Jam in Lancaster Road remained open throughout the work which is the latest in upgrading the city’s roads and pavements.

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Owner Richard Lowthian said: “We are so pleased the majority of the Fishgate Phase three work is completed outside Ham and Jam.

“It’s been a challenging few months for our customers as well as Ham and Jam we are still waiting for the final works to be completed.

“We believe it will be a great place for outside seating once it’s completed. A great job nearly complete.”

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The Guild Hall has also seen disruption due to the roadworks.

Head of Operations at the Guild Group Richard Simkin said: “Other than the constant issues around the entire development we have gritted our teeth and done all we can along with the strong support of the county council.

“There has been some serious knock on effects to our business but we are looking very much forward to all the works being complete.

“I feel for the likes of Ham and Jam who had their front door almost blocked and hope they are now recovering.

“Clearly investment is great but the knock on effect for ourselves and others is still being felt.”

Lancashire County Council has given an update on where it’s work is up to.

It announced in early January it would be introducing the Fishergate-look to Lord Street, Jacson Street, Lancaster Road and part of Tithebarn Street during the next 18 months.

Highways manager for the county council Phil Baird said: “Work has recently been taking place on Lord Street, the section next to the Guild Hall loading bay access. This was scheduled to fit around some of the busier times for the Guild Hall and involved putting in high quality granite paving, reinforcing the carriageway crossings, cleaning and replacing the existing drainage system, and creating a more pedestrian-friendly area.

“These latest improvements will bring a similar feel to work done elsewhere in the city centre, which we know have helped to attract new retailers and shoppers.

“We recently stopped work on Lord Street, as planned, to carry out road improvements around the bus station as part of the multi-million pound ongoing redevelopment work.

“Work will begin in April on Jacson Street, followed by adjacent areas of Lancaster Road. This work will run through the summer, before the improvement work moves towards the front of the Guild Hall. This work will fit around the University of Central Lancashire’s graduation ceremonies that are held there in the summer, to minimise any disruption from the work.”

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Funding for the work has come from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal.

Chair of the LEP Growth Deal Management Board Graham Cowley said: “The improvement works to Lancaster Road, which have been funded by the LEP’s Growth Deal, are part of a wider integrated scheme which will make central Preston easier to navigate. They will also improve the connectivity between key city assets such as the University of Central Lancashire’s new Engineering Innovation Centre, the regenerated Guild Hall, and Preston’s iconic bus station. Overall the scheme is designed to help boost Preston city centre’s economic growth, creating new jobs in the process.”

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What do you think about the work in the Lancaster Road area? Let us know in the comments below