Help shape the future of city’s Winckley Quarter

The team behind a £1.2m project to restore Winckley Square Gardens is creating a manifesto setting out a vision for the future of the area – and wants the people of Preston to help shape it.

The Winckley Square Community Interest Company (WSCIC), which spearheaded the Heritage Lottery Fund-backed restoration of the Gardens, say the completion of the works marks the ‘the start of a new era’ for the area.

To help gather the views of people from across the city the WSCIC has launched an online survey where people can share their thoughts on the completed works, what they’d like to see happen to the surrounding area and buildings, what events they’d like to see take place throughout the year and what they’d think to the district being branded as the ‘Winckley Quarter’.

When the Gardens were officially reopened in late 2016 it was described as a ‘landmark day’ for Preston city centre, signalling an ‘exciting future’ for the area and the launch of the survey marks the next step in setting out that future.

The project, led by the (WSCIC) was delivered by environmental charity, Groundwork, in partnership with Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, Preston BID and Preston Historical Society.

The WSCIC was founded in 2011 to look at ways in which the Gardens could be improved.

Mick Goode, cofounder and director of the WSCIC, said: “When we started in 2011, with no money and a blank canvas, our first job was to seek the views of the community to help drive our vision for the Square – the result was the powerful yet sympathetic restoration of the Gardens. We have created a space that wouldn’t look out of place in any major city.

“We see the completion of the restoration work as the start of an exciting future for the area and the manifesto which we are drawing up will build on our work to date.

“Just as we did in 2011 and 2012 we want the people of Preston to have their say and hope people will contribute their thoughts and ideas to help us shape the vision for this very important and brilliant part of Preston.”

Mark Whittle, Preston BID manager, added: “The BID is proud to have a been a strategic partner in delivering the impressive improvements to Winckley Square.  It’s vital that these improvements are seen as ongoing and we are delighted to confirm our commitment to further support the area throughout BID’s third-term (2017-2022). 

“Winckley Square plays a pivotal part in the make-up of the city centre – through the survey, we would urge people to share their thoughts and ideas on how the area can improve further.”

The project was given the go ahead in 2015 after the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund announced a bid for almost £950,000 was approved.

The project has also received £150,000 from Preston’s Business Improvement District and smaller grants.

To take part in the survey visit:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CYVQFDP