Preston Business

NEWSLETTER

New design unveiled for Tram Bridge

The final design has been unveiled for a new structure that will replace the former Old Tram Bridge over the River Ribble linking Preston city centre and South Ribble. The new Tram Bridge will be delivered by Preston City Council through its £20m Levelling Up funding allocation from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC), together with funding from Lancashire County Council.

New Access to Finance Advisers

Lancashire's Boost Access to Finance service has recruited two new advisers as part of a new-look support programme designed to help Preston and Lancashire businesses secure finance to achieve their growth ambitions. Peter Capper, a business finance adviser who has over 50 years' experience at organisations including Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and FW Capital, has joined the service alongside Amanda Farrington who has around 13 years' experience advising businesses in roles at Santander, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC.

Business Leaders of Preston

We are shining a light on the people that are helping to transform Preston, and getting to know some of the faces and voices behind Preston's thriving business community. First in our series is Rizwan Seth, the founder and managing director of Wrkspace - a leading provider of bespoke office accommodation in the North West area. Rizwan (pictured) owns and operates five iconic business centres in Preston. Supporting more than 200 business clients to grow and thrive as part of the Wrkspace network, Rizwan is one of the most influential property investors in Preston.

Roadshow and Lancashire Business Expo 2024 

Not one, but two opportunities to find out how Preston City Council and our funded business support programmes can help your business. We will be at two upcoming events, so come and say hello. First is the Boost Roadshow Preston on the 20 March 2024, all about procurement and business support. Then we will networking at the ever popular Lancashire Business Expo 2024 on 22 March 2024. See you there.

Boost Flying Start: Starting a new business in Preston?

Got an idea for a new business but have lots of questions to ask? The Flying Start Team at Boost Lancashire will be on hand at this practical workshop in Preston on 15 April to talk you through the basics of starting a new company. You’ll learn step-by-step skills to take the idea from paper to reality, giving you the best possible chance of it being successful and sustainable. This support is funded through Preston City Council’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme. 

Youth Zone Battle of the Brands

Young people living in Preston and beyond are being invited to choose the new name and brand for their Youth Zone. Over the past two months, the Youth Zone's Young People's Development Group (YPDG) of local young people aged 12-19, have been working with design agencies The Chase and Bird, who have given their time to create two striking new brand names to be put to a public vote; Base and Vault. The winning brand will become the Youth Zone's name. Expected to open in 2025, the Youth Zone will be located in the city centre on the corner of Crooked Lane and Tithebarn Street.

Preston College Wins Skills Contract

Preston College has won a contract to deliver a trio of skills development projects to help residents and businesses across Preston, as part of Preston City Council's skills development programme funded through its  Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The overall aim is to increase the skill levels of Preston's workforce, reduce unemployment and promote economic growth. The projects are around 'green' skills; training to counter specific skills shortages in Preston and lastly a curriculum to help residents improve their existing skills to progress or secure better paid jobs.

Free Business Support for Preston businesses 

Preston City Council has invested nearly £2m of its £5m+ UK Shared Prosperity funding specifically to support local businesses. The money has been shared between six distinct projects that provide free advice and practical help for all types of companies, from newly registered sole traders to established small to medium-sized enterprises looking to grow. This help for local businesses supports the Council's Community Wealth Building commitment to create a resilient and better local economy for all.

Looking for business premises?

If you have a small business and are looking for premises, the Council owns Managed Workshops at Preston Docks, which could be just what you're looking for. Self-contained storage space is ideal for all kinds of enterprise, and there are currently a number of units available to let at Riversway Managed Workshops, off Chain Caul Way.

City Event Programme Revealed

Preston City Council is thrilled to announce its programme of events for 2024. Throughout the year, Preston will host a variety of events across the city to boost footfall, the local economy and most importantly for everyone to enjoy! From music and art to celebrations of culture, there is something for all.  And to get the "ball" rolling, see the next item.

Join us for Egg Rolling

Easter Monday, 1 April marks the return of Egg Rolling - a firm favourite in the city event programme - which goes back more than 150 years. Fun for all the family, Avenham and Miller Parks will host workshops, street theatre and live music to celebrate Easter. Be sure to bring your own Easter eggs and roll them down the hill along with hundreds of others in this weird and wonderful Preston tradition.

Check it out... Whether you are one of our fantastic businesses in the city or are looking to locate to Preston, take a look at our dedicated Invest Preston website. There are details of the latest developments and key projects shaping the city, business advice, support and funding available, plus keep up to date with networking events, tips, skills and training, and more... 

Keep up to date with the latest news easily on social media: 

X (Formerly Twitter) - @InvestInPreston 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/invest-preston/ 

City roundup...ICYMI 

New flexible working space for Preston - Bienvenido to Spanish company OneCoWork who are opening flexible workspace in the heart of Preston in April 2024, their first in the UK! More than just shared offices in Winckley Square, the company say they are incubators for collaboration, innovation, and community building.

Sahara Centre commissioned to help women into work - Based in Fishwick, Preston UKSPF funding means the centre can offer a new programme of support and skills training to women from Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) communities across Preston, who are keen to find work.

Once in a generation deal to bring more affordable homes to Preston - Preston City Council and Onward Homes are to boost the number of affordable homes in the city. Full Council approved a new partnership agreement that will enable Preston City Council to acquire up to 20 homes from Onward at Horrocks Mill and in time apply to develop its own social housing, the first council-owned housing in a generation.

Making Homes from Houses scheme success for Empty Homes week this March - The scheme is a collaboration between Preston City Council, Homes England and partners, Community Gateway Association. It turns long term empty dwellings into homes, through renovation and refurbishment. So far, 36 properties in Preston have been refurbished, having been empty for a total of 157 years with fourteen more currently being renovated or in the process of legal completion.

Making a Successful Community Ownership Fund Bid - this event from Preston Co-op Development Network on 27 March 2024 is funded by Preston City Council via its UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The government’s Community Ownership Fund aims to help communities to buy and save local assets that are at risk. Learn how to apply, make a successful bid and raise match funding. 

UCLan SPARK is a free matchmaking event for future degree apprentices and local industry employers to help you employ the best future talent. Taking place on 18 April.

Start up in business course for women  As part of the Boost Business Lancashire start-up support programme, The Growing Club is running a fully funded start up course. Roots and Shoot is designed for women ready to start a small business. It starts in Preston on 26 March.  

See you there? - A few events and networking opportunities for your diary.

Community Wealth Building - Find out what Preston City Council is doing for businesses and residents through its commitment to Community Wealth Building sometimes known as the Preston Model. We want people to trust, value and have pride in their city and their Council and our overall aim is to ensure that Preston is a growing, vibrant city with a thriving, fair economy. CWB is about creating a resilient and inclusive economy, promoting local growth, good health and wellbeing, and providing value to our communities.

Cost of Living Support Hub - We have put together a Cost of Living Support Hub to help you find the help you need. You can also download a Help in Preston Cost of Living support leaflet from the online Hub.

At risk of redundancy or been made redundant? – If you have been made redundant or are at risk of redundancy there is support available to you. Check out the following links for help and advice. The Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub has a section for those who have been or are about to be made redundant with links to the the National Careers Service, Jobcentre Rapid Response Service, Skills Toolkit and Government advice. Please also visit the Help In Preston website for details of vacancies, volunteering and training opportunities. 

Join us at Preston City Council – We have a number of great opportunities for you to come and join our fabulous team at Preston City Council. Find out more about working for us and the range of jobs on offer at Jobs and Volunteering. 

Skills Bootcamps in Lancashire - Skills Bootcamps are funded intensive and flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector specific skills and fast track to an interview with a local employer. 

Contact us: invest@preston.gov.uk