Pop-up event space set for Preston

A new event space is to be created in Preston city centre which will host temporary and pop-up projects.

The MET (Mobile Event Tent) will be installed in the city’s Harris Quarter in time for a summer programme of events.

The project is being funded from £1m of initial funding the city secured from the government’s Towns Fund. It has been developed by Preston Partnership and Preston City Council in partnership with In Certain Places, a research centre within UCLan’s School of Arts and Media.

The structure will be made from specially adapted shipping containers, a fabric cover, and other materials to create 150sq m of space capable of accommodating up to 100 people.

It will initially be situated on the site of the proposed Animate cinema and leisure development next to Preston Market with the ability to move it to other city centre locations when needed. When not in use, all its components can be stored easily within the shipping containers which can be transported easily using a special lift system.

As well as The MET, the wider Pop-Ups programme will bring together new public artworks and improvements to public realm infrastructure, all aimed at boosting visitor activity as the city recovers from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. More details on the other Pop-Up projects will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

John Chesworth, chair of the Preston Partnership, said: “The Pop-Ups programme is just the start of what will be a sustained programme of investment in the city centre using the Towns Fund money we’ve secured.

“We’re incredibly excited to unveil these plans for The MET which will provide a truly unique event space for arts, culture, and other events including theatre, live music, business conferences, exhibitions and community events."

He added: "As the lockdown restrictions continue to be eased, it’s imperative we do all we can to encourage people to come back into the city centre and to get it bustling once again. Providing we can do it safely, we hope to have the space in situ for the end of July and will soon be able to reveal a packed events programme that will provide something for everyone during the second half of the year.”

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