Preston property management firm claims Friargate roadworks have damaged business and buildings

The entrance to Friargate Court in Great Shaw Street

Local business Portergate Property Management has spoken out about the alleged impact of the Friargate roadworks.

The firm says the pedestrianisation of the street has led to a drop off in enquiries and damage to property at its student and key worker accommodation, Friargate Court.

The Transforming Friargate North and Ringway work, which began in May 2022 and was originally scheduled to finish in March 2023, is now expected to complete in time for Christmas.

Local businesses, including Softys and Vyne, have already closed blaming the ongoing roadworks, with others expressing their frustration at the situation.

Now Portergate has registered its concerns with Lancashire County Council.

Chair of the company, Anthony Jackson, told Blog Preston: “We understand the need for the work carried out on Friargate and appreciate that once it has been completed the area will be significantly enhanced.

“But the length of time this has taken, and the impact of the work carried out, has resulted in a huge drop off in walk-in enquiries and also damage caused to our property and vehicles.

“The disruption has resulted in a much lower footfall on the street and because of this, the amount of people seeing us then popping by to view rooms has fallen by over 60 per cent since before the work began.

“We are also concerned about the impression that this work leaves with our residents. Some of them who have been with us since 2022 have only ever seen disruption, upheaval and mess when they leave the building – this isn’t the view of our city that we want them to have.”

Anthony continued: “There has been damage to the whole façade of the Friargate Court building, facing Friargate and Great Shaw Street, which will be a considerable expense to repair.

“There’s also been a constant barrage of dust covering staff vehicles, when legitimately parked outside our building. This has resulted in staff having to clean their cars two or three times a week, at a personal cost to themselves. In one instance the crystalline silica dust has reacted to the paintwork on a car resulting in it having to undergo a specialised cleaning process.”

Friargate Court exterior damage — Portergate claims dust from the roadworks has damaged the Friargate Court façade

Friargate Court car damage — Portergate says staff cars have also been damaged

When approached for comment, a Lancashire County Council spokesperson told Blog Preston: “We are aware of a claim submitted by a Preston business relating to the improvement works we are carrying out along Friargate.

“This is currently with our legal team who are investigating the matter and will respond to the claim in due course.”