Preston is making a renewed push to secure a government department as the anchor tenant for its planned Station Quarter regeneration, with five new office blocks proposed on the Fishergate Shopping Centre car park. The development aims to provide the Grade A office space the city currently lacks and attract both public and private sector organisations.
Station Quarter Vision Revived
The vision for the Station Quarter, centred around Fishergate Shopping Centre, was first unveiled in 2022. Formal plans for the first phase were submitted to Preston City Council last December, proposing five office blocks ranging from nine to 15 storeys tall on the existing car park. The goal is to create a modern commercial environment that can retain existing businesses and draw new ones, including government departments, to the city.
However, Preston faced disappointment last year when it was omitted from a list of 13 out-of-London locations where thousands of civil servants are expected to be relocated by the end of the decade. This has spurred local leaders to intensify lobbying efforts.
Parliamentary Push
During a debate in Parliament last month about investment in Lancashire, Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis, whose constituency covers northern Preston and parts of South Ribble, directly questioned the government. She asked whether it would "progress the office relocation requirements of His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as an anchor tenant to bring forward a new office quarter around Preston station." While her question did not receive a direct answer, it was part of a broader effort to highlight specific investment opportunities to the government.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that a wider lobbying campaign is underway to secure government occupation of some of the proposed Butler Street blocks opposite the railway station.
HMRC Commitment Unchanged
The LDRS approached HMRC and the Cabinet Office for comment on any plans for civil service relocations to or within Preston. It is understood that a long-term commitment made by HMRC in 2023 to maintain a base in Preston remains unchanged. However, it is not clear whether this might eventually lead to a move to the Station Quarter site if the development proceeds.
Preston also hosts staff from the Department for Work and Pensions, who were retained in the city despite the closure of that department's previous Preston offices three years ago.
Economic Ambition
A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council commented: "Preston Station Quarter is one of Lancashire's most significant place-shaping regeneration opportunities, with strong potential to attract major employers and create high-quality jobs. We are working closely with partners including Preston City Council and the University of Lancashire with an economic ambition to deliver a long-term vision for the area, focused on high-quality office space, improved connectivity and a modern commercial environment that supports economic growth. We have consistently made the case for investment in Preston and the wider Lancashire economy, including the importance of attracting major public and private sector organisations to the area."
