A lot has happened in Preston over the last seven days.

Preston and South Ribble saw a drop in coronavirus rates thanks to local measures, and police launched an appeal to identify three youths following a robbery in Ribbleton.

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Below is a round up of the stories you might have missed in the last week.

Preston businessman Simon Rigby MBE has died suddenly aged 58

Multimillionaire businessman Simon Rigby MBE has died at his home in Wrea Green.

The entrepreneur was one of Preston’s most ambitious investors with a portfolio spanning the energy, entertainment, hospitality and care sectors.

Read the full story here

Work underway to transform Preston’s Park Hotel

Work is underway to demolish the office block on the site of the historic Park Hotel.

The 1960s building in East Cliff, which overlooks the railway line, will be replaced with a brand new structure providing conference and office facilities.

Read the full story here

Jobs at risk as West View Leisure Centre operators say it will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’ 

West View Leisure Centre faces an uncertain future after operators GLL announced it will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Staff at the leisure centre in Ribbleton have been warned their jobs are at risk due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the charitable social enterprise.

Trade Unions have been advised and a staff consultation process began on August 24.

Read the full story here

Tributes to Preston’s ‘guerilla gardener’ Jam, who died on Sunday

Tributes have poured in to a popular Preston gardener who died on Sunday.

Jam Imani Rad, 70, hit the headlines after spending more than £6,000 turning his garden in Harrington Street into a vibrant communal garden for his neighbours to enjoy.

Read the full story here

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Plans for 100 home development in Whitestake back on the table after High Court ruling

Plans for a 100 home development in Whitestake are back on the table after a decision to block the scheme was overturned in the High Court.

Wainhomes wants to build the housing estate on land off Chain House Lane but South Ribble Council refused the plans, saying the scheme was not necessary in order to meet the area’s housing need.

However the developer disputed the decision and took the matter to the High Court.

Read the full story here

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines