Get to know the Preston Area | Northwood Agents

Preston on the up!

What you see is what you get, Preston is a confident and business-friendly city with plenty of true character.

Preston sets the trend, demonstrating business confidence with enormous potential to move further forward.

There are wide-ranging development opportunities out there to further stimulate that growth, in a city right at the heart of not only Lancashire and the North West but the UK too, with pretty much-unrivalled rail and road access and two international airports within an hour’s drive.

That connectivity has not gone unnoticed, with Preston already boasting an enviable list of leading businesses, not least The University of Central Lancashire and BAE Systems.

Furthermore, the Preston remains committed to welcoming new businesses and investors, large and small – offering competitive employment costs, affordable accommodation, and a skilled workforce. To that end, there are 800,000 people of working age living within a 20-mile radius, with a quarter of the total UK workforce within an hour’s drive.

Above all else, Preston remains forward thinking, vibrant, active and keen to further promote its entrepreneurial flair and unique culture.

Preston offers fast track growth and a UK development hotspot with £400m investment and 15,000 new homes on the horizon.

Situated in the heart of the North West of England, Preston is a vibrant and exciting City. With a population of 140,000, Preston is growing both physically and in terms of profile with aspirations to be the third City in the North West after Manchester and Liverpool. The City has a strong economic and retail base with a reputation as an attractive place to live, work and invest in and has seen major expansion over recent years which is to continue further.

Preston’s student population acts as a major catalyst too, with around 35,000 studying at the University of Central Lancashire – the sixth largest and one of the fastest growing universities in the UK.

Key things to know about living in Preston

Preston’s proud heritage includes some remarkable structures and more than 750 listed buildings. Some examples include the Grade I listed Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston Guild Hall, Lancashire Museum and St Walburge’s Church, as well as several Victorian gardens and parks.

A fusion of old and new, these historic parks and buildings mingle with new developments and iconic modern architecture, including the Sir Tom Finney splash statue.

Preston is a culturally diverse city, with communities from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds living side by side. The various cultures are celebrated with a host of unique festivals throughout the year, including the Caribbean Carnival, Mela and Chinese New Year.

Being the home of Preston North End, football is a huge influence in Preston, making the provision of first-class leisure and sports facilities and activities high on the city’s agenda. Preston Sports Arena and London Road BMX track, as well as numerous smaller venues, offer an array of activities throughout the year for all the family.

Its convenient location, just off the M6, makes Preston easily accessible by road from almost anywhere in the country. In addition, it boasts a large railway station dating back to the 1800s, which is a central route on many high-speed main lines.

Outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of Preston’s seven major parks, the waterfront at Riversway Docklands and the tradition of rural Lancashire villages and leafy suburbs.