Church Court flat and shops plan could be catalyst for Church Street rebirth

How the revamped Church Court could eventually look

New life could be breathed into an abandoned set of shops and offices in Preston city centre.

Church Court, in Church Street, has been boarded up along the road for many years but developers have tabled plans for the building.

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Standing since the mid-1800s the building has originally the Preston Livery and Carriage Company before being used as a stables for the Mounted Constabulary of Preston. A solicitors used to have offices in the upper floors but since then it has stood empty for six years.

ZDP Properties has tabled plans for creating 13 flats in the upper floors and restoring five retail units to the ground floor.

Church Street has not seen the same level of investment as Fishergate

Designs from David Cox Architects show a revitalised building linking in with future developments at Queen Street retail park and improvements to Church Street along the Fishergate-style model.

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They state: “The refurbishment of Church Court will offer a sustainable and attractive re-use of the building which will secure its future and also compliment the refurbishment which is currently being undertaken to the listed public house next door.”

The Olde Blue Bell Public House, which is grade-II listed, has seen renovation work taking place in recent months.

Ye Olde Blue Bell has seen restoration work take place in recent years Pic: Tony Worrall

Investment in Church Court could be the catalyst for further investment in an area of the city centre which has struggled compared to Fishergate.

Last summer there were calls for Preston City Council to invest money in the upkeep of the area following the Lancashire County Council scheme to change the layout and style of Fishergate.

The full plans can be found on the city council website.

Anyone wishing to comment can do so there or by emailing devcon@preston.gov.uk by Friday 21 August quoting reference 06/2015/0606.

What do you think of the proposals? Do you live or work in the Church Street area? Let us know in the comments below