Downtown Preston in Business’s recent business week had a strong regeneration focus to it. I agree with a strong element of last week’s LEP review of the week which concludes that Preston needs to take action and stop talking.
Unfortunately, in the world of PR, talking forms a central part of what we do, but talking positively. I often get asked the question ‘how would you promote Preston’ and I have to say it’s a challenging question. Not because I don’t know what to do (some people may say otherwise!) but because confidence is so low in Preston as a product. How can we promote our great city, when our own folk, ambassadors and advocates speak so lowly about it, and focus too much on what hasn’t been done rather than what can be done?
PR cannot help if a product has zero confidence, is poorly positioned or doesn’t meet market needs. Is Preston therefore doomed? I for one am not giving up. I’m a Prestonian and managing director a Preston-based business. We took the rare decision in 2009 to move offices and stay IN Preston, in the heart of Winckley Square. What an amazing place to work. We’ve had London and international visitors comment on how great the square is, and how easy it is to get to. It’s tailor made for a great ‘business district’.
A short walk and we have ‘green Preston’ – Avenham and Miller Parks. I can’t think of any city centre in Northern England that has such vast, spectacular, central green spaces. Down by the Ribble, we have the New Continental – wonderful example of good creativity, product development and PR, bringing guests from across the area to its beer festivals and comedy nights while creating a huge talking point.
A walk up the road is UCLan and the education district. The home of over 34,000 students from over 100 countries. Now what an establishment that is, bringing millions into the economy. Simply not celebrated enough, more chastised for the noise and litter its students manufacture.
The flag market (which should be called Museum Square) boasts the Harris Museum, a historic yet modern giant that sets architectural and cultural pulses racing. Closed on a Sunday – the busiest day in Europe for visiting museums. Can anyone explain that one?
Manchester and Liverpool have had their fair share of problems down the years but what they do have in abundance is soul, pride and confidence. We don’t. You feel it when you walk the streets.
I have frustrations about Preston. We all do. There have been some bad decisions. But we can’t turn the clock back. What we do have is a massive opportunity, all of us.
My message is there is a hell of a lot of good things about Preston and until we realise this and be confident about it, Preston will never compete with other Northern cities.
We might also run the risk of being reported to trading standards for calling ourselves Proud Preston.
Posted by
Simon Turner
