City without a centre

By LBV

18 Apr 2012

Downtown Lancashire in Business recently launched its ‘BIG Conversation’ series of events with senior decision makers, business leaders and entrepreneurs looking at the future of the Red Rose county.

Our first debate, which included contributions from Preston council leader Peter Rankin and Paul Swinney from leading UK Think Tank Centre for Cities, asked the question, Preston: Town or City?

Since being awarded the badge over a decade ago, has Preston been able to maximise city status to derive economic development and business growth?

There was an overwhelming feeling that Preston had been unable to take advantage of the opportunity, not least because of the view from neighbouring towns that what was good for Preston was bad for them.

It is a theme that has often been repeated during the past five years in various Downtown forums, but Swinney was able to articulate the point very effectively that a stronger Preston would actually result in a stronger Lancashire.

Just as Liverpool is the recognised hub and therefore centre for economic growth in Merseyside and likewise Manchester in Greater Manchester, Preston could and should be accepted as the county’s hub whose success would add value to not just the city but to the whole of Lancashire.

Politicians and political structures have been the main barrier for such an approach to be adopted in the county. Internecine warfare has existed between the east and the west of Lancashire for many years, worsened significantly by the decision to grant Unitary Council status to Blackburn and Blackpool.

A private sector-led, strategic organisation would surely see the sense in mirroring what has proved successful not only in other parts of the North West but right across the globe and implement a policy agenda that would begin to develop a city region strategy with Preston at the heart of such an initiative.

Step forward the relatively new Lancashire Enterprise Partnership! We are told this is a private sector led body, but its thinking and approach does not appear to differ hugely from that which went before. It seems to me that Preston is being treated no differently from Pendle. The limited resources available to the LEP will be distributed equally across the county, ensuring that none of the county’s political fiefdoms are upset or put out. Cynics may suggest it is a strategy developed and delivered by those decision makers who sit in County Hall, rather than the business leaders who sit on the LEP.

A recent Downtown poll showed that 81% of our members do not think the LEP is working. To regain what can best be described as lost momentum, we need broader private sector engagement and input into the organisation, a more business savvy blueprint for the future that accepts the need for a central Lancashire economic hub and much more effective communication.

The conclusion to our debate: Preston Town or City? It is a city without a centre. The same could be said of our county at the moment.

Frank McKenna
www.downtownlancashire.com


 

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering sold to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering sold to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin