Praxis maps out regeneration of Preston’s St John’s Shopping Centre
The underutilised retail asset in the heart of the city will be redeveloped into a resi-led scheme featuring 500 apartments.
Praxis is working up proposals for the 84,000 sq ft St John’s Shopping Centre, which is located opposite Preston bus station, close to the recently completed Animate leisure development, and next door to a site with approval for a 124-apartment project.
A planning application is expected to be submitted in mid-August.
As well as 500 apartments, the development will see the site’s retail offer consolidated, with much of the vacant space across the 26 store units at St John’s repurposed.
Around 15,000 sq ft of ground floor commercial space – including for bars, shops, restaurants, and leisure uses – is planned alongside a 26,000 sq ft health centre.
Significant public realm improvements are also proposed, including a public square and enhanced pedestrian connectivity between the Harris Quarter, the covered market and the bus station.
Praxis acquired St John’s Shopping Centre from Land Securities Plc for £4m in 2014.
It is one of several retail assets owned by Praxis. Others include Salford Shopping Centre and Westmorland Shopping Centre in Kendall.
Ilan Goldman, director at Praxis, described the project as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine one of Preston’s most prominent gateways”.
“We’re excited to deliver a development that reflects the city’s ambition and unlocks the full potential of this key site,” he said.
Lambert Smith Hampton is advising Praxis on planning matters. NW Architects is leading on design. Planit, Hydrock now Stantec, and Donald Insall Architects are also attached to the project.
Paul Shuker, director of planning, regeneration, and infrastructure at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “The regeneration proposal at St John’s present an exciting new chapter in Preston’s future growth trajectory.
“The project will revitalise and reanimating this important part of the city centre into a vibrant and relevant neighbourhood that will reconnect the Harris Quarter to the listed bus station in the western part of the city centre.
“The delivery of a new NHS neighbourhood health centre will be at the forefront of the government’s recently announced 10-year health plan to bring health facilities to the heart of Preston’s community.”
An online consultation will open at the end of this week giving residents and stakeholders the chance to view and have their say on the proposals.
A link will be added to this article once the website goes live.
A two-day in-person consultation will be held at unit 17 at St John’s on Friday 18 July and Saturday 19 July between 10am – 2pm.
Those who turn up could be in with a chance of winning a £100 gift card.
PCC look who owns the company, what are their real intentions and don’t beg to them even though you are desperate for investment. Contract cannot be modified or changed and above all put plans in place for heavy fines due to non compliance and lateness. And for the love of God get rid of the jumble sales on the covered market.
By mark holt
Blimey, the relative charm of this place is in its rather outdated appearance, which includes some independent rather than ‘find anywhere’ shops. Previously longstanding trees have already been needlessly removed nearby; I know consultations are a sop / box-ticking exercise, so are views really welcome? At least someone will walk away with a gift card…
By PLF_Cloud_Cuckoo_Land
Well done, but shame Shopping City Salford is still a scandal.
By Tannoy