Preston markets quarter aiming to keep it local
Local construction could benefit from a £4 million boost with a call out to construction firms across Preston and Lancashire to build the city’s new Market Hall.
Expressions of interest to build Preston’s new Market Hall are now being sought and local firms are being encouraged to bid.
Announcing the start of the tender process, Councillor Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council said:
“We’re at another exciting stage of the ongoing regeneration and redevelopment of Preston Markets Quarter as we start the process to identify a contractor to take on this special project for Preston. We would particularly like to hear from local building firms who would be interested in taking a lead role in this landmark development in the city.
“A lot of local people have been working on the refurbishment of the market canopies already, which is wonderful. It’s great for them and great for the local economy. We would love the building of the new Market Hall to also benefit the local supply chain.”
Preston-based architects, Frank Whittle Partnership, are already overseeing the project.
County Councillor David Borrow, Deputy Leader of the County Council, said:
"Our goal for the £430m City Deal is to unlock many more of these sorts of opportunities, which will together generate tens of thousands of new private sector jobs and attract billions of pounds in leveraged commercial investment. From large firms to smaller local builders, new opportunities are opening up all the time on projects stimulated by the City Deal.
"The Markets Quarter is a hugely important development for Preston, and we'd be pleased if a local construction firm was able to get this contract, which would provide an additional boost to the sector and the local economy.
"We have businesses here in Lancashire who stand deservedly alongside the very best of the construction industry. We’d encourage locally-based companies to look at the tender and submit their bid to the City Council.”
- Expressions of interest from building contractors should be submitted prior to Friday 24th June 2016 via The Chest procurement portal where there are further details.
- Planning permission is currently being sought to build Preston’s new Market Hall. Subject to this and formal Council approval, work is programmed to start on site in early 2017.
- Construction of the new Market Hall is the third phase of the £50m Markets Quarter development. This includes a proposal for new state of the art cinema as well as retail, restaurants and a new car park
- The Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal is a key part of the Lancashire Economic Partnership’s ambitious strategic growth programme which will transform Lancashire’s economy. City Deal will help to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs and see over 17,000 new homes built across Preston and South Ribble, as well as new school places, open green spaces and new health provision to cater for the growing population. It is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).