Preston markets earn town planners award

The restoration of Preston markets has earned an award for its positive impact on the city's economy.

The regeneration project, lead by the Frank Whittle Partnership, has been honoured with The Royal Town Planning Institute's top regional award for Creating Economically Successful Places.

The project was a collaboration between architects and designers at FWP, based in Preston, London architects Greig and Stephenson, market restoration specialists, and the City Council’s planners.

Historic England and a local conservation group were also involved in developing a design and use of materials that are wholly sympathetic to the listed canopy of Preston’s markets.

Preston Council's vision for the project included creating a city centre destination which appealed to a wide range of visitors and residents, using a food-oriented approach and overhauling the markets from a visual aspect.

Martin Whittle, managing partner at FWP said: “Preston’s new market has been a true collaboration between the City Council and local businesses and interest groups and together we have been able to sympathetically restore fine, historic civic buildings while giving them a vibrant new lease of life fit for a 21st century city.

“Regeneration and renewal were at the heart of the project and our extensive refurbishment work on Preston’s famous Guild Hall entertainment complex has already helped give an economic uplift to the city centre."

The award's judges inspected the restoration of Preston’s two adjacent market canopies - the 1924 Fish Market and the much larger 1875 Covered Market. Both are listed and comprise open access areas under ornamental steelwork punctuated by large cast iron columns.

By 2016 both structures were in need of substantial repair and re-painting, which was completed in 2017, with the completion of the new Market Hall in early 2018.

The judges said: “The scheme is regarded as a catalyst at the heart of the city's priority regeneration area and has already helped encourage other valuable schemes such as the long awaited conversion of the adjacent former post office headquarters into a hotel.

“In summary, this flagship scheme has achieved the valuable restoration of Preston's iconic market buildings, and the introduction of new facilities designed to the highest standards which are already enjoying tangible and buoyant economic success.”

RTPI will present the award at its annual north west dinner, taking place in Manchester Cathedral on Friday October 5.