Fishergate Centre’s £25m revamp plan submitted after public consultation

By Lancashire Business View

16 Oct 2015

Ambitious plans for the £25m revitalisation of the Fishergate Shopping Centre – heralded as a major step forward in the regeneration of Preston – have been officially submitted to city planning chiefs.

It offers one of the largest private sector investments in the city centre for more than two decades and, if approved, will create more than 250 new long-term jobs.

The redundant TJ Hughes store in the centre will be replaced with six modern shop units, a new mall linking to a feature entrance from the car park and a family-oriented leisure offer of five restaurants and a cinema to be operated by leading cinema operator Vue Entertainment.

The proposed development also includes striking new double height retail facades at the rear of the centre to create a much more welcoming and inviting point of arrival.

 

The company is hoping to begin work early next year if the city council’s planning committee gives the green light for the development.

As well as the long-term jobs, more than 150 construction workers will be employed during the development and building phase.

The proposals have received widespread backing from Preston’s business community, including Guild Hall owner Simon Rigby and Babs Murphy, chief executive officer of the Preston-based North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Preston MP Mark Hendrick and the University of Central Lancashire have also welcomed the proposed large-scale investment in the city centre.

Peter Cornforth, director of retail at Benson Elliot said: “The overwhelming reaction to our proposals from the public has been hugely positive. People really want to see our plans turned into reality, and they can see the vibrancy it will add to the city centre, which is massively encouraging."

UCLan’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “The new cinema, retail and leisure development in the Fishergate Centre, and indeed the exciting regeneration work taking place throughout the city, is fantastic news for the university and our students on so many different levels.

“The provision of an excellent university experience is a top priority for us in terms of academic, employment and social experiences and the new Fishergate proposals fit all three. “From involvement in real-life case studies and academic project work to the opportunity for part-time jobs and leisure facilities, this project will enhance the city’s reputation among students as an attractive place to live, work and study.”

Latest news

1

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 Oct 2025

2

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

3

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

4

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

5

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth Peter Heskine

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth

16 Oct 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
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

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

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

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin