As Santa Claus finishes his deliveries (hopefully!) we’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas.
2022 saw some normality return to life in Preston following the pandemic.
Our once busy coronavirus section slowed down, with the recent news of the end of the mass vaccination centre underlining how far we have come.
Read more: Prestonās mass COVID-19 vaccination site to close
Lots of new businesses sprang into life, from shops to restaurants to bars, and the long-awaited Preston Youth Zone was finally confirmed as going ahead.
The facility will be a much-appreciated addition to the city after a year in which anti-social behaviour became a running theme.
A spate of fires also hit the city, with the blaze at the former Odeon and Evoque nightclub causing plumes of smoke to be visible from around the city.
Anti-social behaviour claimed at least one company, when Geek Retreat shut due to safety concerns after a prolonged attack.
Unfortunately we have reported on a number of other closures, due to the cost of living crisis. Most recently, Little Rascals blamed the economic situation for its sudden demise.
While reporting on food banks had become commonplace in recent years, the addition of warm banks to our news agenda has been a sad development.
As the cost of living crisis continues to impact so many of us, it’s heartening to share stories of the organisations doing their best to combat the situation.
Tales of people coming together in the face of adversity are what makes Preston such a proud city – and we are proud to be able to report on that.
Thank you to every one of the 1.3m people who have interacted with Blog Preston this year.
From all the team here at Blog Preston, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Kate, Ed, Charlotte, Amna, Lisa, Geoff, Karen, Holly, and all our contributors.
If you need someone to talk to this Christmas, Samaritans will listen. You can call 116 123, or find other ways to contact them on the Samaritans website.