Welcome to the first Downtown Preston in Business bulletin. In this inaugural bulletin, we provide a brief background to DPIB, our collaborative work with the University of Central Lancashire, (UCLan) and then take you through the news and views from some of the regions leading private sector companies and entrepreneurs. DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna argues for a bolder Preston; we look at the prospects of the Tithebarn development, a city centre road closure and Preston North End and we invite you to join DPIB’s first major networking event. Read on and enjoy...

The Downtown Preston in Business concept is based around an entrepreneurial club pitched at such a level as to attract the regions key business players and leading companies as well as providing business consultancy free to entrepreneurs and SME’s in the region’s creative industries. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Downtown Preston In Business in collaboration with UCLan’s Enterprise and Incubation Project unit are offering high growth potential companies the opportunity to network with the regions leading entrepreneurs and to gain mentoring support, access to professional services, introductions to potential investors, and even office space where appropriate. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

20 Free DPIB memberships for high growth potential companies. Networking with the right people and the right companies is vital for any business and particularly those that are looking to make step changes in their sales and business development. DPIB is offering free membership to entrepreneurs who sign up the DPIB / UCLan support programme in April and May. We are particularly keen to hear from companies in the creative, new media and hi-tech sectors who are really looking to drive their business forward. As the programme is part financed by ERDF please email change@downtownpreston.com to check your company’s eligibility and to learn more about the support available.

DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna suggests that Preston has yet to maximise the opportunities offered by ‘city status’ READ MORE

Leading Preston solicitors DWF, PR Company Freshfield and the Northwest Development Agency have teamed up to sponsor the first DPIB ‘sexy networking’ evening, which will take place on Thursday 3rd May, at the fabulous ‘Forum’ on Winkley Street, Preston. To book your complimentary place at this not to be missed evening CLICK HERE

It seems that the waiting is nearly over in respect of a planned £500 million transformation of Preston City Centre. Grosvenor developments are set to start work, centred on the bus station at Tithebarn Street, with a four-storey John Lewis department store at the heart of a regeneration project that will combine retail, residential and office space. The three-year scheme is scheduled to begin in 2010.

Preston’s busiest street is to be closed off to see if pedestrianisation will work. Plans to shut Fishergate on 22nd September, European Car Free Day, have been given the thumbs up by traffic bosses, despite misgivings from local bus operators, and several city-centre shop owners.

Up to 30,000 people are set to flock to Preston on the weekend of May 19th, for Radio One’s annual big weekend festival. Already, Lancashire’s hotels are putting up the ‘no vacancies’ notices for the weekend event, which is also expected to significantly boost trade for businesses across the county. Last years host, Dundee, received a £5 million economic boost on the back of the festival, and an estimated £11 million worth of publicity.

Preston City Council recently applied to the Government to become a unitary authority, taking additional powers from Lancashire County Council. Do you think Preston should have been allowed to go it alone? CLICK HERE to vote

Leading Preston PR guru, Simon Turner of Freshfield PR READ MORE

‘SEXY NETWORKING COMES TO PRESTON’
DPIB Chairman Frank McKenna, and the Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency, Steve Broomhead, will be the speakers at DPIB’s first ‘sexy networking’ evening. For more information about DPIB’s launch event, please CLICK HERE

Be one of the first Companies to join Preston’s ‘business club with attitude’. CLICK HERE for details.