Shopfronts leading to Preston’s Flag Market need ‘significant improvement’ according to a new conservation report.

Preston’s Market Place conservation area which stretches from Orchard Street to the Miller Arcade – including the current markets – is being reviewed.

The first look at the civic centre of Preston in eight years includes many of the city’s listed and historic buildings such as the law courts and the covered market.

A report by Preston City Council’s planning and heritage officers looks at the threats facing the current conservation area.

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They state its biggest threat is an ‘increase in poorly designed shop fronts and unsympathetic signage’ and a ‘lack of maintenance’.

To deal with the growing issue of untidy and run down shopfronts in Orchard Street, along the Flag Market in Cheapside and the top end of Friargate.

They recommend introducing a shopfront design guide and reviewing all advertisements within the conservation area and looking at formal enforcement action being taken.

Work on the £50million markets redevelopment is set to significantly enhance the markets area, with the report stating the demolition of the Indoor Market will improve the area around the Outdoor Covered Markets.

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Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor John Swindells is due to trigger the formal review of the Market Place conservation area from Thursday 6 April unless another councillor objects.

What do you think of the area around the markets? Let us know in the comments below