We have been overwhelmed and delighted with the response we have had from members and those who contributed to this years Lancashire Business Week. It is always difficult to organise a series of events in such a short space of time that are interesting and diverse enough to maintain the standard and quality that Downtown has gained a reputation for, but, without doubt, we managed to do just that and then some this year.
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From Rob Kenmare’s irreverent look at the economic outlook and Jim Hancock’s political analysis and historical context, at the city business centre on day one, through to the outstanding and no holds barred final day event at Marsden Rawsthorn, the week crackled with dynamism, ideas and purpose. The speakers at this ‘What next for Preston’ event, David Taylor, Bede Mullen, Jeremy Gorick and Steve Broomhead, were all in bullish form.
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We themed the week around Downtown’s ‘City Thinking’ campaign, and asked people to leave their cynicism and frustration about some of Preston’s past failures at home, and instead look to identify positive solutions that will help the city prosper and progress in the future.Â
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Many of you will have seen the high profile coverage of the week in the Lancashire Evening Post, and you should also look out for a special feature on Business Week in the next issue of Lancashire Business View.
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To an extent, the hard work starts now. Downtown is committed to producing a ‘City Thinking manifesto’, drawing on ideas and suggestions made at the various Business Week forums, and also taking account of the comments made on the Downtown Preston website. We will be unveiling that document at a very special event in July, and we have started a very encouraging dialogue with the various agencies that govern the city.
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In the meantime, if you have not yet done so, why not leave your ideas about how Preston can improve by visiting the ‘City Thinking’ section of www.downtownpreston.com
Posts Tagged ‘City Thinking’
BUSINESS WEEK THE BEST YET
Friday, June 4th, 2010ANOTHER OWN GOAL
Friday, March 5th, 2010Is there any other UK town or city that has the ability to shoot itself in the foot quite like Preston?
The Tithebarn project has been talked about for over a decade, and is no nearer to being delivered. The funding for a much needed revamp of the flag market may be lost. And this week it was revealed that a £3million grant from the Northwest Development Agency for the regeneration of Winckley Square is now in jeopardy, following local objections from local residents to plans that would see a restoration of a once jewel in the crown location that is now, sadly, looking tired and decrepit.
But for as few as 1,000 objections, and some noise from local landowners, the Winckley Square scheme would have now been completed. However, it seems inevitable that in Preston, whenever something positive is proposed, there is always a group of naysayers to scupper the plans.
We have heritage extremists trying to win listed status for the monstrosity that is the city bus station; neighbouring local authorities objecting to the £700 million regeneration of the town centre; and a small but vocal bunch of cynics who I’m sure would find something wrong with a proposal to pave the streets of Preston with gold.
It’s about time that those who are positive about the city’s future and want to get on and do things worked more closely together. Next week, Downtown will be announcing the next steps in our ‘City Thinking’ campaign. Perhaps that can act as a catalyst for change.