Strength from within: Supporting economic growth in Preston

Preston is a Partner City in the Centre for Cities’ Partner City network.  The programme works closely with a small group of cities to inform economic development strategies and improve economic performance.

In this paper we answer three questions which provide insight and advice on how to best support economic growth in Preston.

•How does Preston’s growth affect the wider Lancashire economy?

•What has been the pattern of spatial development within Preston in recent years?

•How can Preston do to support future growth for the benefit of both the city and wider county?

Key recommendations

 •Given Preston’s key role in the wider Lancashire economy, Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership should work together to support growth within the city.  This will be to the benefit of the wider Lancashire economy and its residents.

•To support future economic growth, Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council should look to strengthen the appeal of the city centre to businesses by easing transport bottlenecks, becoming more business friendly and improving office space provision where appropriate.

•The Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership should use its £12.9 million allocation from the Growing Places Fund to help kick-start development within Preston city centre in the wake of the decision not to proceed with the Tithebarn development in its current format.