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BID Team

The BID team consists of a part-time BID manager and part-time operations officer. The core BID team is advised and supported by the BID committee…

Positive image

The BID works with many stakeholders to create a positive image of the city…

Street Cleaning

The BID’s rolling power washing programme has covered over 25km of pavements since it began in 2010.  The programme, which covers high footfall areas, operates in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.  It’s imperative that the city is presented in the best light possible in order to maintain a positive image. 

Promotional Tools

PrestonAtNight and ShopPreston.co.uk are assets used by the BID to promote both the city’s leisure and retail outlets…

Footfall

Preston City Centre has three electronic footfall cameras which count the number of pedestrians passing on any given hour. The BID has weekly reports which show key hours.

Winter Planting

Providing a splash of colour, along key routes, is vital when winter arrives. The BID annually funds a winter planting scheme to lift the centre in winter.

Festive Shopping / Parking

Check out the festive opening times for the shopping centres, most high street stores tend to follow the same pattern for their Christmas trading, it is always worth checking with your favourite store(s) before you visit!

*** FREE PARKING ***

Preston City Council – Penny Street Car Park
Saturday 23rd November for the Christmas Lights Switch On free after 3pm
Sunday 1st December free after 1pm Late night shopping day(s)
w/c 2nd December free after 3pm Saturday
7th December free after 1pm
Sunday 8th December free after 1pm Late night shopping day(s)
w/c 9th December free after 3pm
Saturday 14th December free after 1pm
Sunday 15th December free after 1pm Late night shopping day(s)
w/c 16th December free after 3pm
Saturday 21st December free after 1pm
Sunday 22nd December free after 1pm
Monday 23rd December free after 3pm
Tuesday 24th December free after 1pm

(From the date and time shown until midnight the same day – there is no maximum time of waiting during the free parking periods)

UCLan – Leighton and Roeburn Car Parks
W/C 9^th December, free each Thursday evening until 9.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 7^th – 22^nd December, free until 6.00pm

See the shopping centre times for details of their free parking offer
Park & Ride – Portway, Docks – click HERE
Park & Ride – Walton le Dale – Click HERE

HIGH STREET DISTRESS

Following rumours of an energy price freeze, over 150,000 businesses from across the UK are urging Government to act on spiralling energy costs which are proving more detrimental than the pandemic.

The #BusinessSOS campaign warns of mass closure and redundancies if immediate and effective action isn’t taken – the true situation that Britain faces today.

The newly formed #BusinessSOS campaign, founded by organisations representing over 150,000 retail, leisure, hospitality, and tourism businesses warns harm caused by the spiralling energy crisis is superseding the pandemic with the potential to cause irreversible damage to UK high streets and the economy.

The #BusinessSOS campaign believes mass closures and redundancies are inevitable if Government does not swiftly implement measures that alleviate the critical pressures that businesses, like households, have been facing since April 2022.

#BusinessSOS three-point-plan to support ailing businesses:

Reduce VAT
Headline rate reduced from 20% to 12.5%
Business energy bills reduced from 20% to 5% to match domestic billing

Business Rates Relief
100% rate relief until 31st March 2023

Energy Rate Relief
A discounted kwh price on all business energy bills

Matthew Sims, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and CEO of Croydon BID said,

“The new Prime Minister has days to act. The impending announcement on how the Government will tackle the energy crisis facing businesses will either ensure businesses can remain trading or set in motion mass closures and redundancies. To say the energy crisis is worse that the pandemic is not an understatement, it is the reality facing businesses today and why the clock is ticking for the new Government to provide clarity and introduce measures providing tangible and immediate relief.”

Mark Whittle, Preston BID, said,
“Collectively, BIDs participating in the Business SOS campaign, represent more than 150,000 businesses who are urging the government to step in now and help them. After weathering the COVID pandemic, businesses can ill-afford to be blindsided by another crisis.

“It’s a stark reality that many high street businesses are already operating on incredibly tight margins.  There are livelihoods and a significant number of jobs at stake – we need Government help now, they must listen to businesses on the ground before it’s too late, hear their pleas, and secure their future.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, said,
“The hospitality sector is crucial to delivering the business-led growth the new Government is striving for, but we are facing an existential crisis due to soaring energy bills. We’re encouraged by the new Prime Minister’s commitment to tackling energy prices, but we need to see urgent, comprehensive action. As well as a price freeze, we need to see a cut to VAT and a business rates holiday if businesses in the sector are to have any hope of making it through the winter.”

Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management said,
“Right now, businesses are already deciding to scale back or shut up shop for good. The knock-on impact on employment is unimaginably bad. We need decisive action from the government now to save the high street.

Let’s not shy away from how comprehensive this support needs to be. Energy prices have been unsustainable for months. We are at the stage where a price freeze is inadequate. Discounts on the cost of energy are vital. We also need to halt the decline of consumer confidence to keep businesses trading. That’s why this three-point plan on energy, VAT and businesses rates as a combination is the right route to take.”

Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association said,
“Over the last week we have seen a huge escalation in closure notices from pubs, bars, restaurants, venues and clubs across the country, with over 70% of businesses stating they will be financially compromised within weeks, all of which have stated untenable operating costs as reasons too close.”

“The industry’s future is finely balanced between the delivery of an imminent survival package by the new Chancellor and continued consumer spend and confidence!”

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:
“The pub and brewing sector makes a huge contribution to our economy in high streets and local communities throughout the country, yet it still remains in a precarious position after the pandemic. Immediate action on energy is critical, but investment in our sector for the long-term is also essential. As the PM works towards a fiscal statement and full budget we hope she will seriously consider a cut to business rates and VAT so Britain’s pubs and brewers can get back on their feet fully and thrive in the communities they proudly serve.”

SWITCH ON

Preston is gearing up for its biggest free event of the year, the city’s Christmas Lights Switch On!

A mix of comedy, music, dance and… spuds will have Prestonians counting down to Christmas as the lights illuminate the city streets once more.

The event is kindly supported by leading independent broadband provider, Brsk, high end supermarket, Booths, respected homebuilders, Bloor Homes, the superb SpudBros, award winning parkour, stunt and free running academy, The Street Monkeys, Eatinout, a game-changing food and drink app, and Preston City Council.

Staged by the BID team with support from city centre businesses and Smooth Radio North West, the Switch On takes place from 5.00pm – 7.30pm on Saturday 22nd November, at the city’s Flag Market.

Performing live is Paul Zerdin, the visionary ventriloquist, and star of countless TV shows and London Palladium pantomimes. Paul made international headlines when he was crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent, which lead to him having his own headline residency on the Las Vegas strip!

Arguably one of the world’s best ventriloquists, Paul’s toured the globe with his trusty companion, Sam, who said: “It’s so exciting to be coming to Preston. We’ve played Hollywood, New York, Vegas and now… Preston!”

Joining Paul will be an amazing mix of music, including ‘The Trilogies’, an energetic three-piece outfit, starring Emmerdale actor Bradley Johnson (Vinnie Dingle), Bank of Dave actor Nigel Passey, and singer song-writer Freddie Bolt, whose pitch-perfect harmonies and dynamic dance moves are sure to get Preston in fine festive spirit!

And speaking of melodies, TikTok star Henry Oliver will be making his Preston debut. Henry has an army of devoted fans around the world, including none other than Neil Diamond – which led to Henry receiving support for his work from the man himself!

And the festivities get going earlier with aspiring city rapper ‘Peggy’ taking to the stage, fresh from his appearance on BBC Music Introducing Hometown Freestyle series.
World and European champion dance group, DLN Dance will kick start the show, followed by the brilliant ‘Kids Party Live’ show, featuring live performances of some of the biggest TikTok anthems, plus, hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Miley Cyrus.

Preston’s very own potato pioneers, SpudBros, will also be popping up to share something very special with everyone in the audience; keep your eyes peeled for this!

And don’t forget to look up, as local performers from Wolf Entertainments will be entertaining the crowds during the early part of the show with their specially created stilt walking characters.

As if that wasn’t enough, master of impressions, Jon Culshaw, will be joining in the festivities – and maybe doing a few take-offs of famous faces – when he appears on stage. He comes to the city, fresh from his acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe one-man show and playing King Arthur on Monty Python’s “Spamalot” in the West End, as well as playing the iconic David Bowie for a recent BBC drama.

Better still, there’s FREE parking from 1pm on selected car parks! No need to fumble around for change, or download any apps, just drive in, park up, and enjoy the festive fun.

Click HERE for more information.