Campaigners heading up Friargate led by John Wilson. Image by Bernie Blackburn.

Campaigners marched through the centre of Preston to hold Preston City Council to account over refurbishing the Bus Station.

Led by John Wilson, who has been a vocal supporter of the building for many years, more than 150 people braved a wet Saturday morning in town to show their affection for the building.

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The Bus Station had previously been threatened with demolition but it is now a grade II listed building recognising its architectural importance.

John Wilson addressed those who turned out on the Flag Market in a rallying cry for the city council to keep to their new pledge to refurbish the building.

City council leader Peter Rankin revealed earlier in the week they were now exploring refurbishment options with partners including English Heritage and Lancashire County Council.

Previously the proposal from the council had been to demolish the building and build a smaller bus station in its place, claiming this was the cheapest option over refurbishment.

A brass band leads the parade up Friargate to the Flag Market

Mr Wilson and others have led a long campaign to have the building listed and want to see money spent to improve the Bus Station.

The parade had originally been planned when the building wasn’t listed and was aimed at changing the council’s position to get it to think again about demolishing the building.

On display at the march was a cardboard model of the Bus Station made by architecture students and those involved with Gate 81 which aims to find alternative uses for the Bus Station and creative uses of its space.

The model of the Bus Station on the Flag Market

However, some Prestonians took to Twitter to express their view on the parade calling it “cringeworthy” and “a joke”.

Big turn out for the Preston bus station parade then! What a joke.

— Live from Preston (@livefrompreston) November 2, 2013

This celebratory parade to mark Preston bus station being ‘saved’ is beyond cringeworthy.

— Prestonite (@PNEAKTE) November 2, 2013

Did you attend the Parade? What’s your view on the Bus Station? Let us know in the comments below

Image credits to Tass Cotton