Korean delegation inspired by The Preston Model

By Tim Aldred

15 May 2023

South Koren Delegation In The Council Chamber

A delegation from South Korea, including several government officials, has visited Preston to learn more about the city's approach to community wealth building.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, welcomed the group with a tour of the city and shared information on The Preston Model, which progressive procurement, a commitment to the real living wage and cooperative working.

The guests included six prominent government heads and officials from different provinces and Seoul districts.

They visited the Mandala Centre, a city centre yoga and wellbeing hub and Preston’s newest worker cooperative. The centre has received support from Preston City Council and funding and support through the Preston Cooperative Development Network.

The group also participated in a short walking tour of the city, seeing the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, The Flag Market, Preston Markets and the famous Wallace and Gromit bench for an authentic Prestonian photo opportunity.

The guests then moved on to Preston East, to see first-hand, modern new-build homes at D’Urton Grange, one of Preston’s newest housing developments. The £47m scheme will create 248 new homes for shared ownership, affordable rent and private sale, with 50 per cent of the homes affordable housing, delivered by housing association and charity L&Q and marketed through @Laurus Homes.

The group also visited Community Gateway Association’s The Courtyards, Preston’s first extra care development specially designed for people over 55. With 60 apartments, on-site housing support and a 24/7 care service, residents can enjoy an independent lifestyle without having to move if their care needs change over time. Community Gateway has supported the Preston Model for over a decade as a key anchor partner.

The last destination of the tour was Leighton Street Traveller Site, which has been working closely with Preston City Council to introduce a new cooperative management arrangement for the site making it one of the first cooperative traveller sites in the country.

The site has also recently been awarded funding from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) from the Traveller Site Fund which will help to refurbish and improve the conditions of the site, including the upgrade of mechanical and electrical equipment for the installation of domestic meters, giving residents greater control over their energy bills and site running costs.

Councillor Matthew Brown said: "We are honoured to have such a prominent party of officials travel so far, especially to learn more about community wealth building and how we are doing things differently in Preston.

"It is testament to how far we have come along the journey to build a fairer and more resilient economy for all, but visits like this allow us to learn more and share new ideas for the future.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

2

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

3

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

4

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 2025

5

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 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

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

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

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