Some of the Heritage Lottery funds could be used to smarten up shop fronts

New designs show the vision for the Winckley Square area of the city.

They have been on display in the Square as part of the Winckley Square Weekender on Friday and Saturday.

It shows how the Georgian splendour of the area could be restored and significant tidying up of the streets around the Square too including Cross Street, Cannon Street and Guildhall Street.

Paul Crowther, Winckley Square THI Officer from Preston City Council, said: “This is the first time people will get to see the new vision for the Square and the area, and we really want to hear people’s views.

“It is exciting to see how the investment will improve the area and increase footfall and trade for the businesses located here. There is a lot of work to do but working together with our partners means we are making great strides to deliver these visions and we expect that will take place in the next few years subject to securing the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

Pavements would be widened to make it easier to navigate the Square

The city council’s cabinet recently approved the final bid which will go into the Heritage Lottery Fund for more than £1 million to help improve the Square. An earlier bid for £1.4 million has already been secured via the Townscape fund.

Paul Dunne, Public Realm Manager for Lancashire County Council said: “It is fantastic that we are starting to see more investment in Preston and this work will compliment the work we have been doing to improve the gateways into the City Centre along Fishergate and Corporation Street.

“Winckley has some great heritage and is an ideal business location, and we are hopeful that these improvements will attract more businesses to this area and help boost growth for the city as well as making it a nicer place to be for everyone.”

The city council has been working to tempt building owners to bring property back into use

The Winckley Square Community Interest Company has been set up by businesses around the Square to give their views on the plans.

Simon Turner, a director of Winckley Square Community Interest Company, said: “The plans are sympathetic, simple, yet transformational.

“There is a lot of hard work skillfully going on behind the scenes by public bodies, the private sector, community and volunteer groups, and it’s great to see plans now taking shape.

“There is great belief that investment in the area can transform the Winckley Square area into a thriving conservation district and we must keep this momentum going and make sure these plans are delivered.”

A lot of the work on the Square has already been happening, particularly on stopping flooding in the green central space and removing a lot of older trees from the area.

Ben Williams, Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan, said: “These two initiatives working alongside each other will give a real transformation to Winckley Square. The plans for the Green Space aren’t as well-developed as those for the THI, but we’re still eager to get people’s views on the work we’ve carried out thus far. We’re delighted to be able to be part of the Winckley Weekend, and we look forward to many more activities like this in the future.”

Anyone can submit their views on the proposals by visiting the consultation page on the city council website.

What do you think of the plans for Winckley Square? What would you like to see happen? Let us know in the comments below