Harris Museum refurb contributes £3m, 286 jobs and 500 apprentice days to local economy

The Harris Museum’s refurbishment has so far contributed more than £3million, 286 jobs and 500 apprentice days to the local economy.

The £16m Harris Your Place project has so far seen £3,479,212 spent within PR postcodes with local supply chain companies.

286 local people within a 30 mile radius have worked on the project which has also generated more than 500 apprentice days to date.

The project sees the refurbishment of the Grade I listed museum, art gallery and library to enhance and protect the building for future generations.

Leader of Preston City Council, Cllr Matthew Brown said: “Seeing these economic benefits being delivered by our ambitious but realistic investment programme was central to our thinking. We wanted to ensure that our regeneration of Preston would enhance our economy by using a community wealth-building approach to target spend on local business and employ local people many of whom live in Preston.

“It’s heartening to see our objectives come to fruition and pay dividends socially and economically. This once again is the Preston Model in action.”

At the Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Strategic Board, John Chesworth, added: “When designing the Towns Fund Investment Programme, we wanted to ensure that local people and businesses would benefit from the transformation of the city’s key assets in the Harris Quarter.

“The projects now being delivered are creating real economic impact, and we’re only at the start of what we’re looking to achieve.”

The Harris Museum and Library reopening date has recently been pushed back.

It was supposed to opened in late 2024 but this has been delayed to Spring 2025 due to extra challenges uncovered during works.

During construction work, The Harris has revealed additional fire protection works, large-scale asbestos removal, and boiler replacements which are now necessary to preserve the Grade I listed building.