St Johns Shopping Centre development plan revealed

Developer Praxis is looking to submit an application next month to breathe new life into St John’s Shopping Centre.   

Its vision is to create a thriving, residential-led mixed-use development that meets the needs of residents, businesses and the wider community by creating a bold and welcoming gateway that reflects the city’s ambition and character.

It will include more than 500 high-quality new apartments designed for modern city living, along with approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial spaces for retail, food and beverage, or leisure uses.

A 26,000 sq.ft NHS neighbourhood health centre is part of the plans.

The developer says 'the scheme aims to deliver a high-quality, welcoming environment that reflects civic pride and provides a vital link between key regeneration sites including the Harris Quarter, the covered markets, and the Animate leisure scheme'.

Backed by Praxis, this investment responds directly to significant public sector investment in the city centre, including the adjacent Youth Zone that is currently under construction, the Tithebarn bus station as well as key regeneration schemes. 

The project labelled the 'Tithebarn Gateway' will have two-day consultation with the public at retail unit 17 in St John's Shopping Centre on July 18 and 19.

It is expected a planning application will be submitted in mid-August.

Praxis are one of the top ten owners and managers of Shopping Centres in the UK, with a current portfolio of 20 schemes comprising over four million sq. ft. of retail space. 

Praxis say the scheme is expected to generate around £13.5m in new tax revenues, including over £1m in additional council tax.

It could also support the direct and indirect creation of around 1,700 jobs, helping to power local economic growth and opportunity.

Ilan Goldman, director, Praxis, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine one of Preston’s most prominent gateways as a bold and contemporary new city neighbourhood.

"We’re excited to deliver a development that reflects the city’s ambition and unlocks the full potential of this key site."

Paul Shuker, Lambert Smith Hampton, director, planning, regeneration and infrastructure, said: "The regeneration proposal at St Johns present an exciting new chapter in Preston’s future growth trajectory. 

"The project will revitalise and reanimating this important part of the city centre into a vibrant and relevant neighbourhood that will reconnect the Harris Quarter to the listed bus station in the western part of the city centre.

"The delivery of a new NHS neighbourhood health centre will be at the forefront of the Government’s recently announced 10-Year Health Plan to bring health facilities to the heart of Preston’s community."