Work on the multi-million pound revamp of the city’s former court buildings is due to begin this summer.

Revised proposals for bringing the decades-long wait for a new future for Amounderness House are now approved.

Costing around £9million the building spanning Earl Street and Lancaster Road is grade-II listed.

Read more: The In-Between Places – what ten empty Preston city centre buildings could become

The plans were sent back to the drawing board in January – causing a further four months delay – because of design changes needed to the new build elements and facades planned for the rear courtyard. No objections were received with the updated planning consent received at the end of April.

The city council’s director of development and housing Chris Hayward said: “Breathing new life into Amounderness House will play a key role in our ongoing drive to support the growth of innovative local businesses by providing them with an inspiring and dynamic city centre hub.”

The new Amounderness House is due to become 26 offices and studios along with a meeting and event space, all operated by the city’s Wrkspace office group who already run the Old Docks House and a number of other co-working and office spaces in the city.

Managing director of Wrkspace Rizwan Seth said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of the newly approved Amounderness House development in the heart of Preston city centre.

“Working alongside Maple Grove Developments and Preston City Council on this landmark project reflects our shared commitment to revitalising city centre spaces.

“The addition of Amounderness House to our successful network of Wrkspace business centres across Lancashire represents an exciting opportunity to support Preston’s growing business community with flexible, high-quality workspace.”

Part of the funding for the Amounderness House scheme – which has increased in cost by £1.6million since its initial announcement in February 2023 – comes from the city’s TownsFund war chest which is being used to support major redevelopment schemes such as Animate and the revamp of the Harris Museum.

Chair of Preston’s Town Fund Board John Chesworth said: “The much-anticipated rejuvenation of Amounderness House will transform an outstanding and historic property, further boosting economic activity in central Preston by providing state-of-the-art flexible workspace for ambitious businesses.”

The project is being overseen by Maple Grove Developments. Nik Puttnam their senior development manager at Maple Grove Developments (MGD), said: “MGD are delighted to be involved in the Amounderness House project. The restoration and refurbishment of this key part of Preston’s heritage into high quality managed workspace, will complement the wider regeneration of the Harris Quarter. Further, the delivery of this new managed workspace will support the economic growth of the city centre and opportunities for new local businesses.”

The Amounderness House project was due to be completed during late 2025 – but this now looks unlikely to be hit. Nearby Lancastria House is due to be used as the base for the construction workers who will work on the Amounderness scheme.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines