We’ve had plenty of news to bring you from Preston over the past week.

The UK has been placed back into a national lockdown, UCLan childbirth research team received a prestigious grant and major internal and external changes for The Harris were set to be given the green light.

Below are five of the stories you might have missed.

Victorian Society slams ‘damaging’ plans to change the Harris

The Victorian Society is calling for Preston City Council to refuse plans to alter the Harris, which it says is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the country.

Councillors are set to discuss the proposals – which have been recommended for approval – at planning committee today (Thursday 7 January).

Speaking about the plans for the £10.7m renovation project ‘Reimagining the Harris’, Tom Taylor, Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society, said: “The Victorian Society objects in the strongest possible terms to these proposals.”

Read the full story here.

Network Rail work over New Year to upgrade the Faringdon Curve track near Preston

Upgrades have been made to rail tracks in and around Preston over the festive period.

Network rail have made the upgrades as park of an investment of £31.3 million in the North West and Central region, which runs from Euston and Marylebone in London, to Scotland via the West Midlands and North West to improve future journeys for passengers.

On New Years Day, 157m of track on the Farington Curve between Preston and Leyland, and 177m of track in the Euxton Balshaw Lane station area were upgraded.

Read the full story here.

Plea for communal worship in Preston to stop during lockdown

Faith communities in Preston and across Lancashire are being urged to pause communal prayer and worship during lockdown three, to help prevent the spread of the new Covid variant.

In a letter released yesterday (Thursday 7 January), Lancashire’s Directors of Public Health said they realised it was “a big request”, but that the temporary change would “help protect our communities at this critical stage of the pandemic”.

While communal worship is not banned during lockdown, Dominic Harrison, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi and Dr Arif Rajpura say there are “significant infection risks” due to people socialising before and after worship.”

Read the full story here.

A new future for former Baffito’s restaurant as care home plans set for approval

Former restaurant and bar Baffito’s, located at Preston Docks, is to become a care home.

The plans, which are recommended for approval include a 64-bedroom residential care home.

This is as well as a three storey building with 16 supported living apartments for adults with learning difficulties.

Read the full story here.

Mayor of Preston’s civic tribute to Ron Atkins

The Mayor of Preston has paid tribute to Ron Atkins.

Mr Atkins was the longest living former MP, and passed away last month at 104 years old.

He represented Preston North twice in his time as an MP and was later a councillor at Preston City Council.

Read the full story here.

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