Following Preston Council’s decision to demolish the ‘iconic’ Bus Station and car park a local business person has been in conversation with Council leader Peter Rankin to discuss the future of the building.
Although the potential investor remains a mystery he (or she) cannot have failed to have noticed the growing campaign in support of one of best remaining examples of 1960s brutalist architecture in the UK.
In a recent Lancashire Evening Post article a spokesman said there were ‘good ideas and visions’ based on the present building and a business plan could be produced based on these ideas. Retaining the original building and enhancing its architectural merit appear essential to the plans.
The spokesman said: ‘It is still very early days but we have always said that investment needs a proper business case considering every aspect of the building’.
We reported that amongst options for the Bus Station discussed by Preston Council in a recent meeting was a refurbishment of the existing building with a view to extending its ‘shelf life’ and enhancing and refining its considerable architectural merit. However, refurbishment costs proved too prohibitive.
The Bus Station could be a valuable investment with much potential. Substantial funds will be required, much more than the council can afford, but with the right business plan and with support of the local community maybe, just maybe the building could find salvation.
Do you think it is a good idea to save the Bus Station? Would you put your own money into a business plan to save it? Let us know below.