Korean delegation inspired by The Preston Model

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.”