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NW Mutual reveals locations of 60-plus proposed branches

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

NW Mutual, the mutual bank to be based in and for retail and small business customers in the north west of England, has revealed the locations of approximately 60 proposed branches spanning the region. 

The network of branches includes 16 earmarked for Lancashire, 20-plus proposed in Greater Manchester, another 12 for Liverpool and Merseyside, potentially 10 in Cheshire and another six planned for Cumbria.  

The proposed ‘bricks, clicks and flicks’ business model of NW Mutual will deliver hi-tech and staffed branches, complemented by mobile and online banking, providing retail and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers with a full range of financial products and services. 

The location of the headquarters of the bank, headed by recently appointed senior financial services executive Dave Burke, is yet to be confirmed but will be in the north west and due to open in the second quarter of 2025. 

Dave said: “When our plans are finalised, NW Mutual will open approximately 60* branches across the north west, with the first branch and head office also in the region.  

“Our aim is to provide access to as many people and businesses in the north west as possible, with 95 per cent of residents and small and medium-sized businesses within a 30-minute drive to a branch.  

“Whilst we have specific locations in mind to achieve this, we also want to listen to the people and businesses of the region and welcome thoughts and suggestions on branch locations.” 

Bolton-born and bred Dave Burke recently joined NW Mutual Ltd, a co-operative society launched in response to more than 50 per cent of traditional bank branches in the region having closed and the lack of banks based in and dedicated purely to serving the people, businesses and organisations in the north west. 

While Lloyds Banking Group recently announced the closure of another 136 branches by March 2026, consumer group Which? said banks and building societies had closed a total of 6,266 branches since January 2015, equating to about 53 closures every month. 

NW Mutual’s target market is about 7.4 million people and 494,395 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the region, employing more than 1.65 million people and generating turnover in excess of £239 billion in 2024. 

A highly experienced financial services executive with an extensive background in launching, building and managing regulated businesses, Dave has held senior roles at high street banks and retailers while also providing strategic consultancy services to major organisations seeking to enter financial services. 

He said: “Our market research, supported by a large body of public research and information, shows a proven need and demand for a bank that’s trustworthy, democratic, ethical, deeply rooted in the north west and that enough people and businesses in the region would use to make it a great success.” 

“The north west is more than capable and large enough to create and sustain a prosperous bank. When we achieve our goals, our mutual bank will recycle more than £900m of money from the north west back into the region. 

“This is serious money and it’s already here, but it’s not. We want to stop it leaking out and heading south, north or east.” 

Having already registered NW Mutual Ltd with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), regulator of financial services firms and markets in the UK, David is preparing a banking licence application to submit to the Bank of England in late 2025. 

If the licence is granted by the Bank of England, the first bricks-and-mortar branch is planned to open in the third quarter of 2026, with a full roll-out proposed for the first quarter of 2027. 

About £1m has been invested to build the systems and financial model of NW Mutual, prepare the banking license application and analyse its market.  

David Milner, chair of NW Mutual Ltd, is an executive and non-executive director of regulated financial services companies, including being chairman of Dudley Building Society and Nottingham Imperial Building Society, while non-executive director James Moore has more than 25 years of boardroom experience with private and public businesses in sectors including financial services in the UK, China, Europe and Africa while also founding the Community Savings Bank Association. 

They are in the process of recruiting other senior executives to the board of NW Mutual including a finance director. 

*Potential and yet-to-be-confirmed locations for branches of NW Mutual: 

Lancashire: Preston, Accrington, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Clitheroe, Chorley, Lancaster, Leyland, Lytham St Annes, Morecambe, Nelson, Rawtenstall, Fleetwood, Garstang, Skelmersdale. 

Greater Manchester: Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Bury, Droylsden, Eccles, Hyde, Harpurhey, Hyde, Leigh, Longsight, Manchester, Manchester Victoria, Oldham, Rochdale, Sale, Salford, Stockport, Stretford, Urmston, Wigan, Wythenshawe. 

Liverpool and Merseyside: Bebington, Birkenhead, Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Huyton, Kirkby, Knowsley, Liverpool, Prescot, Speke, St Helens. 

Cheshire: Chester, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Northwich, Runcorn, Warrington, Widnes, Winsford. 

Cumbria: Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal, Keswick, Penrith, Whitehaven. 

Nick Park CBE, Academy Award® winning creator of Wallace & Gromit, opens £45m+ Animate entertainment and leisure destination in Preston 

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Nick Park CBE, four-time Academy Award®-winner and Preston-born creator of Wallace & Gromit, officially opened the city’s £45m+ Animate entertainment and leisure destination in February 2025. 

The Honorary Freeman of Preston and multi-award-winning filmmaker, unveiled a four-foot-high bronze statue of Feathers McGraw, the villainous penguin character in the Wallace & Gromit animated films, to mark the opening. 

Joining Nick at the unveiling were the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Philip Crowe, Chris Butler and Chris Jones, owners and directors of Castle Fine Arts Foundry, which created the statue, and Merlin Crossingham, Bafta@ award-winning creative co-director of Wallace & Gromit at Aardman Animations. 

Nick and Merlin are executive directors and creative directors, respectively, at Bristol-based independent studio Aardman, makers of the Wallace & Gromit films and other beloved brands, including Shaun the Sheep, Creature Comforts, Chicken Run, and Morph. 

Nick Park CBE said: “As a proud Prestonian, I couldn’t be more egg-cited to see our infamous Feathers McGraw joining Wallace and Gromit in my hometown. 

“I’m not sure how happy Wallace and Gromit will be, though, to have their arch nemesis clutching the limelight.” 

Councillor Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: “To have Nick Park officially open our flagship regeneration scheme, Animate, is a genuine honour and landmark moment for the Council and the city. In addition, the new Feathers McGraw statue is a fantastic complement to the Wallace and Gromit bench, which has drawn so many visitors to Preston – its popularity has blown us away.  

“It heralds a new era for Preston, providing an unrivalled multi-tenanted entertainment and leisure complex for residents and visitors from the wider region in the ownership of our city.” 

Chris Jones, director at Castle Fine Arts Foundry, added: “It was such an honour for us all at the Foundry to be given the opportunity to depict the deliciously malign Feathers McGraw in bronze, having enjoyed creating Wallace & Gromit a couple of years ago.  

“We had felt Feathers’ ‘wee beady eyes’ upon us in the workshop for a good few months since we completed him, so it was both a relief and a joy to put him where he truly belongs, alongside his arch-nemeses in Preston.” 

Animate features The Arc Cinema with eight screens, 16-lane Hollywood Bowl bowling alley with gaming zone, public realm, a socialising unit and 164-space basement car park, alongside leading family restaurant brands Ask Italian, Cosmo, Taco Bell, Argento Lounge and a variety of street food outlets and a cocktail bar in Mad Giant Food Hall, Northern Lights Group. 

The scheme was delivered by Maple Grove Developments (MGD), part of the Preston-based contractor, Eric Wright Group, on behalf of Preston City Council. Commercial property agents Sanderson Weatherall are the estate managers. 

Built on the former indoor market and car park site, Animate is fully owned by Preston City Council and is one of six major projects in Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, a £200m programme including £20.9m of funding by the UK Government to support several regeneration projects.  

The leisure scheme supports the Council’s commitment to Community Wealth Building – a fair, inclusive and ethical approach to fostering sustainable economic development and prosperity for all in Preston – via measures including using locally based businesses and the creation of approximately 300 full and part-time jobs when fully open and 105 apprenticeship weeks worked throughout the construction period to date. 

The communications experts at Limitless Public Relations – Michael Gregory, Claire Stephenson, and Justin Strong (along with Jen Peacock on launch day) have provided strategic communications and public relations support to Preston City Council throughout the successful delivery of this landmark project over the past two years.

Trust plummets in government, businesses, and the rich

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report reveals a troubling decline in public trust in businesses, fuelled by growing economic frustrations. 

The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global survey that measures public trust in government, business, media, and NGOs. It provides data-driven insights on trust trends, highlighting issues like transparency, ethics, and misinformation, to help organisations build credibility and address stakeholder expectations.

2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, page 17

According to this year’s report, which surveyed 33,000 people across 28 countries, six in ten respondents feel economically disadvantaged, and worryingly, some people believe hostile actions – even violence – may be necessary to create change.

The findings point to a deep sense of alienation, with many believing that both businesses and governments prioritise the wealthy over ordinary people. Younger generations are especially disillusioned, with over half of those aged 18 to 34 supporting the idea of taking drastic measures to force societal shifts.

For businesses, this is a wake-up call. The report highlights the need for companies to step up and actively rebuild trust. This means addressing economic inequalities by ensuring fair pay, investing in workforce training, and engaging with local communities. It also calls on businesses to be leaders in providing reliable information, promoting respectful dialogue, and challenging misinformation to help create a more connected and informed society.

Richard Edelman, the CEO of Edelman – a leading global public relations and marketing firm – said:

“The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025 finds a dissent into grievance. It’s been a progression from fears to polarisation. and now into grievance. [People feel that] there is a lack of quality information, a deep sense that the political system is broken, and lastly, a belief that, in fact, their family will not be better off in five years. 60% of respondents say that they’re aggrieved. They don’t believe the system is working. They feel pressed in terms of their bills. They actually find it difficult to navigate this world of misinformation, and they have no hope for the future.

“The question is, how to fix this? Trust has to be restored in order to do that. What does business do in this context? The default in the last couple of years has been, because business is so competent and ethical, let’s go to business. It’s a mistake to have business as the sole player here. Business is supposed to focus on things they can do really well –  skilling jobs with good pay, making sure that we have affordable products, but also sustainability. 

“But the other institutions have to step up. The government has to deliver on the matters to improve lives. NGOs are the healing force for the social fabric. And the media has to come back to the centre and give us facts we can rely on. If we can get to a place where there is optimism, it can overwhelm grievance, and then we can have a clear path to a belief in the future.”

From a PR perspective, the takeaway is clear: deeds, not words. Businesses must go beyond words and show real, measurable actions. Transparent communication, genuine community engagement, and a focus on societal impact will be crucial for restoring trust and addressing the growing divide.

Read more on the 2025 report and current trends here.

The power of clear communication: building trust in any business

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Whether you’re running a large organisation, or a small business of just one person, clear, authentic communication is more crucial than ever. Building trust is the foundation of every relationship, and without it, even the best strategies can fall flat. 

In their 2024 Trust in Business Survey report, PwC found that:

  • 61% of consumers have recommended a company they trust to friends or family. 
  • Consumers also spend more at companies they trust — 46% purchased more, and 28% paid a premium. 
  • Four in 10 customers no longer purchase from a company due to lack of trust.

With public trust in institutions declining, improving and maintaining trust in business is at a premium.

Here are three essential ways to elevate your communication and build lasting trust with your audiences:

1. Be transparent  

Honesty always wins. When you’re upfront with your audiences, they feel more connected and secure in their relationship with you. Keeping communication open, even when the message is tough, shows your authenticity. It’s about telling the real story, no spin! Transparency invites trust by showing you’re willing to share the full picture, like the old Ronseal strapline: does exactly what it says on the tin.

 2. Practice active listening  

Great communication isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening. Responding thoughtfully to concerns or feedback demonstrates that you genuinely care about your audience’s needs. Listening and acknowledging others’ perspectives not only improves your relationship with them, but also builds long-term loyalty.

 3. Stay consistent  

Consistency is critical to building reliability. When your messaging is clear, cohesive, and steady across all channels, people know they can count on you. This reliability forms the backbone of trust, as your audience starts to see you as dependable, no matter the circumstances.

Building trust takes time and effort, but the payoff is definitely worth it. Need more advice on how to improve your strategic communications? We’re here to help! Drop us a message via the contact form or call 0845 625 0820.

Construction starts on Preston Youth Zone

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Construction is underway on Preston Youth Zone, which also has a new name following a city-wide vote of over 2,000 young people.

The Youth Zone’s development group, consisting of young people from across Preston, had created two brands for others to choose between. They revealed the winning name to be The Vault, ahead of a special groundbreaking ceremony at the Youth Zone’s town centre site on Wednesday 26 June.

The event, hosted by the charity’s chair Guy Topping and CEO Tim Jacques, launched an exciting new phase for the Youth Zone. Contractors Triton Construction will begin building the multi-million-pound centre, which will open next autumn.

Using a giant spade, supplied by Barton Grange Garden Centre, young people cut the first hole in the ground.

Mr Topping said: “This is a momentous occasion – it’s fantastic to break ground and build this special space for Preston’s young people. It will give them somewhere safe and inspirational to go in their leisure time to try new activities, develop skills and make friends.

“We’ve waited a long time to get to this stage, but in many ways, this is just the beginning as we take a huge step closer to opening to thousands of young people from across the city. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped us on this journey, turning the dream of a Youth Zone in Preston into a reality.”

Mr Jacques added: “I feel very proud to be CEO of this brilliant charity, one which will change the lives of so many young people in Preston. 

“The Youth Zone will be a place they deserve with incredible facilities and a team of dedicated youth workers offering vital support and guidance. It was great to see our development group unveil our fantastic new brand and I want to thank the 2,000 young people across Preston who took part in the vote. 

“We’ve had so many brilliant people back this project but we are still actively fundraising for the  remainder of our annual running costs, so we’d appeal to any local businesses who want to support Preston’s young people to get in contact.”

The Youth Zone also forms one of the six key programmes in Preston’s £200 million regeneration of the Harris Quarter.

John Chesworth, Chair of Preston Towns Fund Strategic Board added,  

“It’s fantastic to see the start of a much-needed asset in the City. The Youth Zone has been in the planning stage for a long time, but we can now see Guy’s vision become a reality. As a proud Prestonian, it’s something that I believe will provide many opportunities to our young people and give them a future while also contributing to the physical transformation of the Harris Quarter.”

The Vault is being developed by national charity OnSide, which currently has 15 similar Youth Zones across the UK, and Preston’s will be one of six to open in 2025 

Michael Gregory, Limitless director and Vault board member, concluded: “The Vault will make an important impact to the City, not just in terms of its physical presence but also its valuable contribution to social regeneration of Preston. 

“It truly is a fantastic asset and one that will provide so many opportunities to young people of the City.”

The Vault will boast a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities. These include a climbing wall, music room and recording studio, gym, health and wellbeing room, performing arts studio, boxing and martial arts gym, a four-court sports hall, 3G pitch, media room with podcast recording facilities, a café serving hot meals for just £1 and much more. Young people will pay just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.

The Youth Zone will be funded by various sources, including private sector contributions, and the charity is actively fundraising for its annual running costs.

Bespoke named Best Place to Work by The Sunday Times

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Lancashire-based digital marketing agency Bespoke has been named by the Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work in the UK for 2024.

The nationwide workplace survey, published by The Sunday Times on Sunday 12th May, honours and celebrates Britain’s top employers – which number over 500 organisations across industries and sizes – and acknowledges the best workplaces for women, LGBTQIA+ community, disabled employees, ethnic minorities, younger and older workers, and wellbeing.

In compiling the list, The Sunday Times partnered with employee-experience platform WorkL to deliver fresh insights into what makes the Best Place to Work.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards survey uses 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement, wellbeing and discretionary effort in the workplace.

To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organisation must score well across WorkL’s six-step framework encompassing: Reward and Recognition; Instilling Pride; Information Sharing; Empowerment; Wellbeing; Job Satisfaction.

Bespoke, which has offices at Strawberry Fields in Chorley, was recognised in the survey’s Small Organisation category.

The report accompanying the listing said: “This Chorley digital agency puts a development programme in place for staff, with a three-year plan for those seeking a role in the company. Plans are reviewed annually and extended once colleagues have been with the agency for two years. The 12 employees work a 50-50 hybrid week – with a budget provided to kit out home offices – while the whole team has lunch together twice a week.”

Bespoke Co-founder & CEO Steve Brennan said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the team, or more overjoyed for us all, to have been listed on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list.

“It’s such an incredible accolade for the culture we have built here over the years. We fully recognise that it’s our people who make us what we are, and we are dedicated to providing them with the happiest working environment, which is something that everybody pitches in with, so the entire team can rightfully be extremely proud to have their efforts be recognised in this way.”

Chris Longcroft, EVP Publisher, The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “All organisations are only as good as the people they employ and retain. The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards recognise companies that are innovating to create an engaged and fulfilling working environment for all and in so doing they are creating the best possible platform for business success. To be named on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list is a true recognition of excellence and I congratulate those organisations who made the grade this year.”

Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for this year’s winners of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work, powered by WorkL. Many Congratulations to you all. We’ve been absolutely blown away by just how many brilliant companies entered the awards in the hopes of being recognised, so it’s a real achievement to have made the list. WorkL are proud to power these awards and support organisations in retaining and recruiting the very best employees.” 

Zoe Thomas, editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, said: “It is my pleasure to introduce the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. These include a huge range of businesses and not-for-profits, from innovative start-ups with a handful of employees to big multinational corporations staffed by thousands. The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 spans all industry sectors and are located throughout the UK. Uniting them is the commitment to make their organisation a better place to work for everyone, and there is no limit to the creative lengths they go to to engage employees. Why have a job just anywhere when you could be carving out a career at a Sunday Times Best Place to Work?”

For more information go to www.bespokedigital.agency or www.thetimes.co.uk/static/best-places-to-work-2024. 

£10 Million achievement for Blackburn networking group

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

A Blackburn-based BNI chapter is celebrating after its members generated over £2 million in the last year, bringing the total amount of work referred within the group to over £10 million since its launch. 

Launched from a core group of just three members in 2014, BNI Infinity now boasts 21 members, meeting every Friday morning at the Hampton by Hilton, Blackburn.

The group is part of global organisation BNI, the world’s leading business referral organisation. With over 318,000 members in 77 countries, BNI provides weekly networking meetings for groups of businesses, who follow a focused meeting agenda that enables them to use their combined network of contacts to find business opportunities and referrals for one another.

Last year, its members in towns and cities across the UK & Ireland shared over half a billion pounds (£538m) of business between one another. Its chapters in Lancashire generated over £12 million in business for members in the same period.

BNI Infinity chapter president Ben Govier said: “The reason BNI is so successful is because its systems are built around building deep connections between individuals. That leads to the know, like and trust factor that is required to provide referrals into each other’s own valued contacts and connections outside the room.

“What further sets BNI apart is that all referrals are tracked on the app, so that members know exactly how much money they are making from their membership.”

BNI Executive Director for Lancashire Louise Eccles said: “A massive congratulations to what BNI Infinity has achieved, going from strength to strength since its launch.

“While the membership has constantly evolved since 2014, BNI Infinity can proudly say that some of the biggest names on the Lancashire business scene have enjoyed wild success from their membership, whether they joined as start-ups or well-established names already.

“BNI itself has undergone many changes since BNI Infinity launched and we’ve introduced new technologies that mean BNI members are now better connected with peers across the globe than ever before.

“Our message is, if you’ve never tried BNI, come along and see what we’re about. If you haven’t tried it for a while, come along and see what’s changed. Our doors are always open to people who want to prosper and grow through a community-based teamwork approach to building their business.”For more information go to www.bnionline.co.uk

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone heralds careers fair success

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, was the guest of honour at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair on Thursday 29th February 2024. 

The event was attended by 189 enthusiastic young individuals for whom it offered insights into apprenticeships, training & development, and job opportunities, as well as guidance on overall health and well-being. 

The event was built on the existing collaboration between DWP and Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone and included contributions from a wide range of businesses, training providers, offering a comprehensive array of opportunities, including work placements, skills development, apprenticeships, and specialised courses. 

Training providers contributing to the event included, amongst others, The Prince’s Trust, Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning, Training 2000, IMO, Blackburn College, LEP, and NLTG.

In addition to career-focused opportunities, the fair collaborated with health providers to ensure a holistic approach to individual well-being, with contributing health providers including WHP, WHP Pioneer, Witton Park Greenhouse Project and Talking Therapies.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, said: 

“It was brilliant to attend Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair, meet the local team, DWP colleagues and local employers who are creating great opportunities for young people to succeed at work, and to chat to so many fantastic young people who will be a huge asset to the workplace.  

“We are dedicated to helping young people into work, which we know improves mental and physical wellbeing. We are investing £2.3 billion in mental health services and expanding our DWP Youth Offer to give more under 25s the best start to their working life.”

Blackburn Youth Zone Chief Executive Hannah Allen said: 

“The employment fair is a regular feature in Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s diary and builds on the constant work of our Youth Hub Team. Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone launched the first Youth Hub in the country in 2021 after, along with our partners, we recognised how Young People were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Since the launch, the youth hub has supported over 700 young individuals, with 220 finding employment and 280 accessing training opportunities.

“This success has been aided by our brilliant community partners, our growing patron network of 74 businesses and the local authority awarding the service UKSPF. 

“The Careers Fair, a pivotal event designed to illuminate the vast spectrum of opportunities for young individuals, was a resounding success. We are particularly grateful to our patrons Accrol Papers Ltd, Herbert Parkinsons Ltd, WEC Engineering Group, Kingswood Homes, JDS Trucks Ltd, Darwen Terracotta and Blackburn College, in helping make the event such a success. 

“Minister Davies’ was given a tour of the Youth Zone by a group of young people who have benefited from our employment services and are now in full employment. The minister’s presence brought significant value to the fair, and she was able to share invaluable insights and expertise on the opportunities and challenges within the employment sector.”

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is part of the national OnSide movement – a network of state-of-the-art Youth Zones in the most disadvantaged areas of the country who collectively see 50,000 young people through their doors every year, providing access to highly-skilled youth workers who empower young people to lead positive, fulfilling lives.

As a charity dedicated to young people, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone provides over sixty hours of services when schools are closed. 

With over 4,500 members benefiting, its provision takes place at a state-of-the-art centre in Blackburn and a satellite site in Darwen and also within the community. 

Core services are open for ages five to 19, with dedicated SEND and Employability services open to young adults up to the age of 25. For further information, go to www.blackburnyz.org

New appointment for Studio LWD

Posted on by Claire Stephenson

Branding and design agency Studio LWD has appointed Kirsty Petersen as an Account Manager as part of its ongoing expansion.

With more than 10 years of experience in creative client services, Kirsty has worked with an international client base managing projects in design, content creation and TV production before joining Studio LWD in 2023.

Studio LWD was established in 2012 by creative director Laura Weldon and is now comprised of a team of ten. Working with iconic brands such as Virgin, Nike, Tesco, Aldi, and the British Council, Studio LWD provides a multi-service branding agency for clients across the UK.

On joining the agency, Petersen said: “I’m thrilled to join Studio LWD and look forward to establishing strong partnerships with our clients. I’m excited to contribute to the growth journey of the studio and play a key role in scaling our impact in the world of branding.”

Studio LWD’s creative director, Laura Weldon, said: “We are concentrating on strengthening the foundations of Studio LWD for an exciting and dynamic future. As a team, our focus will be on streamlining processes and investing in our capability to deliver solutions for clients that help take their businesses to the next level.”

For more information go to www.studiolwd.co.uk.

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.