No chance - it's a shithole like the rest of town - and always will be - your deluded if you think any investment whatsoever will be forthcoming.
Preston is actually quite vibrant and exciting in comparison to neighbouring towns such as Blackburn, Burnley and Balckburn. We are not and will never be a Manchester or Liverpool and as such have to cut our cloth accordingly.
'The Preston Model' has been widely lauded by observers, a model pioneered in Cleveland, Ohio to help build community wealth. There are a number of local run, artisan companies popping up around the city as a result. There are quite a few exciting buildings in the pipeline should they receive approval, expanding out of the city centre and up to the new university courtyard.
It's easy to say Preston is a s***hole as it is for any former mill town. We have areas that are in vast need of improvement but as far as similar sized towns and cities go, we're quite far ahead in terms of gentrification and attracting investment.
The Stoneygate Masterplan looks an exciting renovation of a part of town that has been long overdue a makeover. That end of Church Street or 'psycho alley' is a no-go part of town at present but the area to the back around Avenham is home to some of our most stunning buildings. The Stoneygate Masterplan could help flow and connect the areas around Avenham, Avenham Park and Winckley Square into the city centre's shopping district, removing a lot of the rot in the process.
The university divides opinion in Preston but you can't deny that it brings a wealth of positives. The UCLAN Masterplan is set to create a stunning new building as well as a huge courtyard that would act as a hub for that end of town. This will no doubt reinvigorate Friargate and the surrounding area, again parts of town that were previously neglected and run down.
If we could get investment into the docklands, this would be huge for the city. The area is vastly underutilised and could really become a central hub for nightlife, entertainment and dining. The urban beach plans do look a bit 'out there' and I doubt that will be picked up but it just goes to show what could be done to that area with a little forward thinking and creativity.