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The Harris Museum announces grand reopening this September

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Preston’s iconic cultural landmark is set to welcome up to half a million visitors each year following a £19 million major restoration.

Made possible with funding from Preston City Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Government’s Towns Fund, Lancashire County Council and many other generous partners.

The Harris will officially reopen its doors to the public on Sunday, 28 September 2025 following a once-in-a-generation restoration as part of the Harris Your Place project. The transformation reimagines The Harris as a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub for the 21st century, blending art, history, community, and a refreshed library service to deliver an exciting new visitor experience.

Located in the heart of Preston, The Harris will relaunch with an impressive exhibition programme, learning spaces, family-friendly facilities, a new café and shop, and new heritage tours that celebrate its architectural and civic legacy. The reopening will mark a new chapter for one of the UK’s leading regional museums, libraries and galleries.

Councillor Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said:

“The reopening of The Harris marks a proud and exciting moment for the city of Preston. This incredible transformation will not only safeguard our heritage but also create a vibrant, inclusive space that inspires creativity, learning and connection for generations to come. We’re immensely grateful to all our funding partners and can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors alike back through the doors of this much-loved building.

“The Harris Your Place project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of key partners. We gratefully acknowledge Preston City Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government’s Towns Fund, Lancashire County Council and Arts Council England. Their vital contributions have helped preserve The Harris for future generations while strengthening access, learning and community engagement.”

John Chesworth, Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Board, said:

“This much-anticipated and eagerly awaited new era for The Harris represents a major element of the ongoing regeneration and rejuvenation of Preston, alongside other landmark schemes such as the transformation of Amounderness House into managed workspace and the £45m flagship Animate entertainment and leisure destination, delivering economic growth and opportunities for all in a truly revitalised city centre.”

Helen Featherstone,Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“We are proud to be supporting the Harris Your Place project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. Working with Preston City Council, this exciting initiative will provide a sustainable home for the Museum’s collections, which will ensure that they are accessible for local communities and visitors to learn more about the city’s rich heritage.

“We know that heritage can play a huge role furthering a sense of pride in local communities which in turn can boost the local economy, and this project is sure to be a wonderful example of that.”

County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Lancashire County Council, said:

“We’re excited to see the Preston Harris Library reopening and back in this iconic building, which is such an important part of the community.

“That’s why we have contributed £1.375m towards the project and our refreshed library. This revitalised space will continue to house Preston’s biggest library and serve as a hub for learning and education for all residents. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to this wonderful space.”

Closed since 2021, essential works have included the safe removal of asbestos from the roof, comprehensive repairs to preserve the building’s historic structure, and vital improvements to heating, lighting, and accessibility throughout the building. When it reopens, visitors can expect a fully reimagined experience, with new galleries, and community facilities.

Following the refurbishment of The Harris, annual visitors are expected to increase by approximately 100,000 on top of the existing 350,000 (in 2021).

Additionally, The Harris is unveiling a fresh new look including a redesigned logo, brand identity, and new website. The modernised branding aligns with the aims of the Harris Your Place project: inspired by community input and honouring the building’s heritage while looking confidently to the future.

More details about the reopening events, exhibitions and public programming will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information visit The Harris.

Topping out ceremony at Preston’s £45m+ Animate leisure complex 

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

A topping-out ceremony has been held to mark the highest point of the build at Preston’s Animate leisure complex, the latest milestone in the £45 million+ scheme, one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme. 

Preston was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021, and the Harris Quarter is a unique part of the city centre undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering.

Animate is being brought forward by Maple Grove Developments, part of Preston-based contractor Eric Wright Group, in partnership with Preston City Council.

The leisure complex is being built on the site of the former indoor market and car park and is due to open to the public in early 2025.

Almost fully pre-let, Animate will feature an eight-screen cinema, a 16-lane bowling alley with a gaming zone, five family restaurant units, a food hall, a public realm, a competitive socialising unit and a 164-space basement car park, with national leisure brands including Hollywood Bowl, ARC Cinemas, Zizzi, Cosmo, Las Iguanas and Loungers already signed up as tenants.

Those attending the topping out included Cllr Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, Adrian Phillips, chief executive of the City Council, John Chesworth, chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board and Karen Hirst, managing director of Maple Grove Developments.

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, added:

“Animate is the flagship project of the Harris Quarter regeneration programme, heralding a new era for Preston and its residents. Owned by the city council to benefit local people, the construction of Animate has involved local contractors and enhanced the skills and learning of young people with essential on-the-job experience.

“Crucially, such development and regeneration forms a key part of the council’s commitment to Community Wealth Building, designed to create a resilient and inclusive economy to benefit the whole area by offering an opportunity for local people to take back control while working with local institutions.”

John Chesworth, Chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board, said:  

“The topping out represents another key moment in the delivery of Animate and in the ongoing renaissance of Preston as we progress our wider plans to create places for people.  

“Having secured high-profile and established national leisure brands, Animate will provide an unrivalled offering of activities to drive footfall and wider economic benefits for Preston and surrounding areas.”

Karen Hirst, managing director of Maple Grove Developments, development partner of Preston City Council, concluded:

“This milestone in the delivery of Animate marks the highest point of the build and the successful culmination of the collaborative efforts of the client, design, and construction teams.

“Animate is an exemplar of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together in partnership to great effect for the wider community and economy of Preston.”

Preston’s Animate scheme progressing

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

As part of Limitless PR’s strategic communications work with Preston City Council and the Towns Fund, Limitless’s Claire Stephenson got the treat of being shown around onsite the ongoing £45m Animate development scheme in Preston. The development is being carried out by Eric Wright Group’s Maple Grove Development and is owned by Preston City Council. 

The complex will open in early 2025, and will be a brand-new leisure and entertainment complex at the heart of Preston’s city centre. 

Animate is almost fully let with national brands such as Hollywood Bowl, ARC Cinemas, Zizzi, Cosmo, Las Iguanas and Loungers who are already signed up as tenants. The complex will include:

  • 16-lane bowling alley
  • 8-screen cinema
  • 164-space car park
  • Bars & restaurants
  • Public terrace

…with more to be announced, it’s already looking great!  

Claire said:

“It was so good to be on the other side of the development, looking down over Preston rather than upwards from outside the barriers! The space in the new build feels vast inside and it was exciting to see the cinema spaces being developed. 

“I was shown around and spoke with two of Eric Wright’s construction and surveying staff and I learned so much about their work and days on the project.” 

Read more on the scheme at Invest Preston.

Preston City Council dials up plans to breathe new life into historic red telephone boxes

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Preston City Council is progressing with its plans to restore nine Grade Two-listed red telephone boxes in the heart of the city.

Having acquired the kiosks outside the former Head Post Office on Market Street in 2021, the City Council is seeking Listed Building Consent (LBC) with a decision expected by March 2024.

Should LBC be granted, the City Council intends to fully restore the boxes in 2024 while considering potential future uses.

Designed by British architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Coronation of King George V in 1935, the cast iron kiosks with timber doors form the longest line of historic red telephone boxes in the UK. 

Having become redundant, the kiosks have been vandalised and fallen into disrepair.

A Heritage Statement prepared for the City Council by Growth Lancashire Ltd, and following guidelines by Historic England, details numerous benefits of repairing and refurbishing the nine so-called K6 kiosks in the Market Place Conservation Area, the historic centre of Preston featuring other listed buildings such as the former Head Post Office, The Harris Museum, Sessions House and the Town Hall.

Citing legislation, national guidance, and planning policy for listed buildings, the statement prepared by Growth Lancashire’s heritage and conservation team says the boxes represent ‘the definitive red telephone kiosk in Britain’ and have high historical, communal and aesthetic values.

The Towns Fund and the City Council will fund the restoration and will be removed off-site for restoration and replaced when completed. 

The Heritage Statement concludes that ‘the wider benefits generated by the repair and refurbishment of the telephone kiosks will outweigh any minor concerns caused by the works themselves’ and will cause no harm to nearby listed buildings or the wider Market Place Conservation Area.

Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Culture at Preston City Council, said: “We are proud to celebrate Preston being the home of the UK’s longest line of historic red telephone boxes, an outstanding landmark in the heart of our city that we are committed to bringing back to life for this, and future generations to enjoy.

“If we are successful in our application for Listed Building Consent, we plan to undertake the necessary restoration works in 2024 to enable the iconic telephone boxes to be animated with dynamic and creative installations. We plan to work with local artists to commission contemporary light, audiovisual or graphic works to bring the telephone boxes alive, create a ‘must see’ and add to the vibrancy of the Harris Quarter.”

“Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Strategic Board, John Chesworth, added:  

“The restoration of these iconic telephone boxes is excellent news and again adds to the improvements we’re achieving in the Harris Quarter. They are a small but fantastic city asset and bringing them back into use has always been on the agenda. 

“Once back in use, I’m absolutely positive they’ll be a focal point for many people and will be well utilised.”

The proposed restoration of the kiosks forms an integral part of the wider Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the City was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021.

Harris Quarter is a unique area of Preston undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering via schemes such as the transformation of Amounderness House to provide multi-use workspace, the £45m Animate cinema and leisure complex and refurbishment of Grade I listed Harris Museum, art gallery and library.

As designer of the boxes, Sir Giles has a strong historic connection with Preston – he also designed the War Memorial Cenotaph in Market Place and his father George Gilbert Scott designed the Town Hall.

Planning application approved for £7.4 million refurbishment of former magistrates court into offices and retail space 

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Preston City Council’s plans to transform the Grade II Listed former magistrates court have been approved. 

Amounderness House will undergo a £7.4 million refurbishment and is one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the City was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021.

Harris Quarter is a unique area of Preston undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering, with Amounderness House located beside the £45m Animate cinema and leisure complex, which is under construction and due to open in Spring 2025. 

The refurbishment of Amounderness House, originally built in 1857 as a police station with several holding cells, will be transformed into a high-quality modern, flexible, multi-use workspace hub that Wrkspace will operate. 

Designed by FWP Architects, the sympathetic refurbishment of the Grade II listed building will create 26 offices circa 645 sq. ft and four craft or retail studios. In addition, the existing courtyard will be updated and open for public use.

Maple Grove Developments is working with Preston City Council and Wrkspace as Project/Development Manager to deliver the project.

Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Strategic Board, John Chesworth, said:  

“It’s fantastic to see this magnificent building being brought back into use as it will help stimulate business, cultural, and community uses in Preston city centre. We are making significant progress in regenerating the Harris Quarter and seeing a ripple effect of interest in what Preston is achieving as an attractive place to live, work and play.”

Leader of Preston City Council, Cllr Matthew Brown, added: “On the back of this excellent news we can transform Amounderness House and capitalise on this asset being in public ownership and using it to support growing local businesses. Furthermore, in line with our Community Wealth Building principles we’re working with Preston-based Wrkspace to run this important heritage asset as it helps to boost our economy.”

Nik Puttnam, senior development manager with Maple Grove Developments, added: “Bringing new purpose to older buildings like Amounderness House is rewarding and we’re looking forward to making a start on the transformation of this superb historic building. Renovating listed buildings comes with its challenges, especially one that has been vacant for so long, but when complete it will complement other projects in the Harris Quarter and be an economic driver for the city centre .”

Rizwan Seth, managing director of Wrkspace, concluded: “The Wrkspace team are looking forward to welcoming Amounderness House into our flexible office space portfolio. The addition of a high quality city centre provision, compliments the existing business centre offering across the North West. Amounderness House will be a beacon for growth for new and existing businesses within Preston, encouraging flexible workspace provisions as the ever-changing working requirements evolve”.

Smith & Love Planning Consultants submitted the application on behalf of Preston City Council and the wider project team for Amounderness House, including Cowburn-Watson Box, SCP Transport, Eden Heritage, E3P, TRP Consulting, and Graham Schofield Associates.

Limitless wins three-year Preston City Council Town Deal contract

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Limitless Public Relations has been appointed to deliver a three-year strategic communications support contract for Preston’s £20.9 million Town Deal which it secured in March 2021 as part of the government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund, established to help level up towns and cities around the country.  

The Town Deal has kickstarted The Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, a £200 million transformational regeneration programme in Preston’s Harris Quarter, the City’s cultural and civic heart, led by Preston City Council and the Preston Partnership.  

The latest project to start in the programme is Animate, a £45 million leisure and entertainment complex due to be built in the heart of Preston City centre. 

The tender includes the delivery of strategic communications for six projects and will be designed to increase awareness of the Towns Fund investment programme, communicating key milestones and keeping residents and businesses up-to-date with the benefits and improvements that this extensive regeneration programme will bring to them.  

The tender will also focus on the City’s strategic 15-year vision and its City Investment Plan.  

The key projects are: 

  • Harris Quarter Assets renewal, including refurbishment of Amounderness House, into serviced offices and managed workspace accommodation 
  • Animate – new build entertainment and leisure scheme  
  • Illuminate and Integrate – public realm and lighting improvements 
  • Harris Your Place – refurbishment of the Harris Building 
  • Preston Youth Zone – state-of-the-art youth building and services
  • Educate Preston – access to careers and education information services  

Councillor David Borrow, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation, said:

“We are delighted to have Limitless Public Relations on board and looking forward to working together to communicate Preston’s regeneration and investment progress. We were impressed with the overall standard of submissions we received, in particular with Limitless’s extensive experience and understanding of our ambition and vision for the City.”  

John Chesworth, Chair of the Towns Fund Board, added:

“Limitless Public Relations has been chosen to support Preston’s Towns Fund investment programme following a thorough tender process against stiff opposition, and we are looking forward to working closely together on all the exciting projects that are starting to come to fruition and that will make a positive impact on Preston and its people.”  

Limitless Director Michael Gregory concluded:

“As someone who came to the City to study and is now an adopted Prestonian, I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been given the opportunity to tell Preston’s story, showcase its ambitions and herald its future.  

“I’ve seen Preston evolve over the 27 years I’ve lived here, and there is so much to shout about. It’s a happening place to live, work and grow, and the proactive approach by the City Council and its partners to create a place that everyone can be proud of is truly commendable.  

“Our team is looking forward to working with the Council and its partners in delivering an impactful campaign that will attract people, businesses and investors to the City.”