Preston Markets new look outdoor covered market along with a cinema and restaurant complex would be open by the end of 2020.
AdvertisementMore details of the masterplan £50m development at the heart of Preston city centre have begun to emerge ahead of the official consultation events beginning on Saturday.
What used to be a short-lived tapas restaurant overlooking the covered market hosted a display on Thursday night of the vision of the ‘Markets Quarter’ as the council describes it.
A draft timescale for the plans, which would see the current Indoor Market demolished and traders moved into a newly refurbished and glazed outdoor covered market, has also been published.
Projects Director for Muse Developments Michael Broadhead said the art deco frontage of Lancastria House was now a key part of the scheme.
He said: “There is an abnormal cost associated to it. We’ve got to carefully demolish around it and integrate it. There’s a risk involved and the market will recognise that risk.
“Is it worth keeping? Yes we think it is.”
The Markets scheme has found favour with Professor Ben Casey, the man behind the design of Deepdale Stadium.
Living in Longridge and lecturing at the University of Central Lancashire he says the designs are complimentary of the splendour of the Victorian Market.
He said: “You just don’t get structures like this in very many places.
“This Market is enormous, look at that outdoor space. I think what they’ve come up with here is fantastic.
“The cinema building, it’s revolutionary but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a backdrop for the markets themselves, they are the real star.”
Chief executive of Preston City Council, Lorraine Norris, said she couldn’t comment on the Markets scheme compared to the Fishergate Shopping Centre’s cinema plans – but she did discuss where the funding for the council scheme is coming from.
Two events take place in the St George’s Shopping Centre.
Display boards with pictures and details of the plans will be available to view in the upper mall of the shopping centre towards the Friargate entrance.
The first is Saturday 9 April from 11am to 3pm and the second Monday 11 April from 11am to 3pm.
What do you think of the Markets scheme? Let us know your views in the comments below