One of Preston’s largest empty buildings has seen its entrance way boarded up.

BHS in Fishergate closed in 2016 and has been empty since.

The doorway has become a place for rough sleepers but Preston City Council served a legal notice on the owners calling for them to board up the main entrance.

In early October the city council instructed Freemont Ltd to secure the site or face further action. The boarding up was then delayed due to a legal mix-up.

Cabinet member of planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss said: “We are pleased that the owners have cleaned up the area in front of the former BHS building, but that is only part of the solution.

“We are continuing to proactively work with key partners to ensure that help and advice is offered to those who need it and carrying out enforcement against those who are taking advantage of the goodwill of the public.

“As always, we would ask that if you want to help the homeless over the Christmas period, that you support one of the great local charities we have in Preston, rather than giving cash on the streets.”

Read more: Here’s how you can help the Foxton Centre this winter

Part of the former BHS store is due to become an Asian buffet restaurant.

Plans were lodged in October by Spoon World Buffet for a 400-seater eatery on a section of the ground-floor of the former department store.

What do you think about the council’s decision on BHS? What would you like to see the former store become? Let us know in the comments below