Preston’s Fishergate floated for 530,000 sq ft of offices
Leaving the shopping centre itself largely untouched, Martin Property Group has shared an initial vision for four office buildings on the complex’s surface car park.
BDP, acting on Martin Property Group’s behalf, has filed an EIA screening opinion request for the proposals, which are expected to be doled out in phases.
The first of these phases would comprise two office blocks. The taller of the two, coming in at more than nine storeys in height, would have 103,900 sq ft of space. This would sit on the southwest corner of the 1.7-acre car park site.
The shorter of the two would be six storeys and sit on the southeast corner. It would comprise 70,500 sq ft.
A second phase, focused on the northern section of the car park, would see the delivery of one eight-storey, 147,500 sq ft office complex and another one of nine storeys and 208,300 sq ft. To make way for these future offices, the applications describes a “small amount of demolition” being necessary – namely the southern-most portions of the TK Maxx and TJ Hughes stores. More info would be shared in a reserved matters application for these two office blocks.
Plans for the offices are still in the early phases, but this image gives a sense of where the buildings would sit in relation to the shopping centre (left) and train station (bottom). Credit: via planning documents
Place North West understands that all four office buildings would be built to achieve high sustainability ratings.
Given the site’s proximity to public transport – it sits adjacent to the Preston Railway Station and close to a series of bus stops – parking is not a major factor in the plans. Potential undercroft parking with accessible spaces is being considered, though.
Down the line, Martin Property Group has ambitions to add a fifth building – a residential one – to the offices outlined in the screen application. This would have around 300 flats.
The application touches on the future redevelopment of the centre itself into a mixed-use, high-rise complex of three buildings with a public square. However, that is the extent of the information shared at this point.
The residential building and this mixed-use project will be the subject of separate planning applications “at a later date”, according to the screen opinion.
Martin Property Group acquired the Fishergate site in 2021 for £8m. The developer also Grosvenor Centre in Chester.
BDP is the town planning consultant for the project. You can learn more about the plans by searching application reference number 06/2024/0355 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.
Preston needs some quality office space. Good to see and initial plans look interesting.
Can’t see the shopping centre surviving in the long term. Be good to see TK Maxx and TJ Hughes relocating to one of the empty high street stores.
Wonder what Primark are thinking, the old BHS would be a good place to move.
Good mix of building designs coming through in Preston unlike elsewhere, nice variety.
By Katie
New offices would be good, Our Chorley office is far more successful than our Manchester one as the best talents don’t want to drive into Manchester every day
By Gilly
Surely it would be better to update all the empty office blocks in Preston. Preston does not need any more offices built. It needs to concentrate on bringing decent shops into the centre, getting empty shops upgraded and improving what is basically a very boring city centre.
By Anonymous
Catch 22 Anonymous.
More workers in the city centre means the chance of increasing footfall making it more attractive to potential retailers.
No different to any other city/town centre with retail at the moment. Investment in night time economy with the new cinema etc also vital.
Biggest thing Preston needs is a new small arena.
By Katie
@April 08, 2024 at 5:40 pm
By Anonymous
As someone who knows the city well, Preston definitely needs new office space – and it doesn’t really have that much existing space to upgrade.
Yes, it needs some better shopping space – the hideous former BHS building should be pulled down and new shop units (and units facing Guidhall Street rather than a deafening blank elevation) built in place. There’s also the former NatWest building too. But shopping isn’t the thing it was.
By Anonymous
Not sure these guts realise the office market in Preston is nothing like Belfast for example. I suspect the Council would have to fund the viability gap? PNW have you asked the Council if they are providing financial support?
By John W
We’re wil the shops go as I go in most of them.
By Elaine wade
Hi Elaine- this is going to be built on the car park, not in the shopping centre. Obviously, this is all contingent on planning permission being secured.
By Julia Hatmaker
ere: April 08, 2024 at 5:40 pm By Anonymous
By Michael Turner
re: April 08, 2024 at 5:40 pm By Anonymous
To a mere observer like me, your comment appears to be spot on. All that empty office space in the vicinity of the bus station but adding another half a million sq ft?
By Michael Turner
@April 09, 2024 at 4:38 pm
By Michael Turner
It’s because the office space by the bus station is generally of a poor quality. Many occupiers require Grade A space whether heritage buildings which often have higher ceilings than 1960s/1970s builds, or total high spec new build.
By Anonymous
Cant see this being viable in a million years unless they have a Govt office requirement up their sleeve
By Real Deal