Have your say on the £13m development of Preston Bus Station

People can choose their favourite entry in the architectural competition for Preston's iconic bus station and a new Youth Zone.

Five anonymous entries were chosen recently by the judging panel, and each design proposal has been worked on in more detail based on feedback.

You can see the designs at a special exhibition on the bus station in bays three and four, on Thursday 16 July and Friday 17 July – or vote online at www.lancashire.gov.uk/competition.

Online votes need to be in by 4pm on Tuesday 21 July.

Public votes will be taken into consideration, accounting for up to 10% of the final choice, alongside architectural considerations. The winner will be announced in the summer.

The plans will see a multi-million pound investment in the Grade II listed bus station site, to create a vibrant public space and a home for the new Preston Youth Zone – while preserving the building’s unique brutalist architecture.

The architectural competition is being run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), on behalf of the county council and Preston Youth Zone.

Jennifer Mein, leader of the county council, said: "We strongly feel that it's important to give people an opportunity to see and vote on these plans.

"This isn’t a full consultation on the details of each proposal, but it's a chance for people to see the designs and choose which one they like. Their views will help the judges to decide which scheme is selected.

"The Grade II-listed bus station will continue to be a major transport hub, but we also want to develop an exciting new space for young people. I've seen the five shortlisted submissions and I certainly feel that we've got innovative entries that will result in stunning plans for the site.

"Things are moving along well, a lot of progress has already been made, with plenty more to come. I'm looking forward to finding out the winner in the summer.

"Improvements are being carried out on Fishergate and plans have been put forward for a new cinema and market quarter. Coupled with the work taking place on the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, this is shaping up to be a positive time. There is a lot of investment being made in Lancashire, which will create new job opportunities, provide new housing and make it easier for people to get around."

Guy Topping, Chairman of Preston Youth Zone said: "We owe it to our city’s young people to make Preston Youth Zone the best it can be and we’re confident the selected designs have the potential to create a vibrant and exciting youth facility.

"However, we need the input of Preston’s local community to ensure the success not only of the Youth Zone, but for the overall transformation of the bus station. We’re passionate about giving the city’s young people somewhere safe and inspiring to go in their leisure time and I urge the public to get behind this development and have their say on the designs.”

As an independent charity Preston Youth Zone will be delivered as a result of a powerful combination of public, private and voluntary sector support led by OnSide Youth Zones, a charity dedicated to providing modern youth facilities based on the model of the highly successful and innovative Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Preston Youth Zone will contribute £1m towards the construction costs with Lancashire County Council investing £5m.

Almost 100 entries were submitted to the competition, which were anonymously judged by the panel led by Hugh Broughton, architect and RIBA appointed advisor.

He was joined by Rob Carter, OnSide's deputy chief executive; County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools; Councillor John Swindells, deputy leader of Preston City Council and Edward Towers, a member of the Lancashire Youth Council representing young people.

The other members of the panel included architects from the county council; Phil Barrett, Lancashire County Council's director of community services; and John Wilson as a community representative.

To find out more about the competition, visit www.ribacompetitions.com/preston.
Notes for Editors: The attached images show each of the five shortlisted entries.

For further information please contact: Stephen Axon on 01772 533 194
[email protected]