View down Great Shaw Street showing artists impression of Friargate Court

Work to build 260 new student flats on Friargate will begin before the end of the year.

Portergate Property Management had plans approved in June to demolish buildings on the corner of Great Shaw Street and create new shops and accommodation.

A statement on the company website says they hope the en-suite appartments will cash in on a boom in postgraduate numbers in the city.

It states: “These studio apartments are aimed at post-graduate students and apprentices working in Central Lancashire’s high-tech manufacturing sector and new Lancashire Enterprise Zone.

“The plans include retail development and construction work is expected to begin before the end of the year, with accommodation scheduled to open to students in the 2014/15 term.

“The student accommodation and retail facility will be located in the Friargate retail area in the heart of Preston city centre, convenient for the UCLan campus and also local amenities, shopping, leisure and transport links.”

Artist impressions of the Friargate Court development

Currently on the site are the former Popadom Palace takeaway, a body piercing shop and what was Retrorags. These will be demolished as the new buildings are put in place.

What do you think of the proposals? Let us know in the comments below