Wednesday, 25 July 2012 07:42

Work begins this week to improve the appearance and pedestrian linkages to Preston Street. The work includes around £50,000 of improvements to the southern and northern entrances of the street using good design and high quality materials to improve the appearance and pedestrian accessibility.
 
Preston Street has many restaurants and bars and forms and important link from the busy shopping street of Western Road to the seafront. The improvements will also include de-cluttering the area and improving the street lighting.
 
Cllr Ian Davey, Lead member for Transport and Public Realm, said “Preston Street is a diverse street and a natural link to and from the seafront. As the street has suffered a period of decline in recent years the council is keen to help support the traders during these very difficult times. These improvements combined with the council’s refurbishment of the Regency Square car park and the development of the i360 will present a fantastic opportunity for the traders of Preston Street.”
 
Nigel Rose from nearby Regency Square and a keen advocate of improving Preston Street said: “The improvements to the entrances will attract many more customers to Preston Street, ensure more business and upgrade the properties.
 
“The i360 will see a huge increase in the passing trade in Preston Street and this early investment by the Council is very welcome”.
 
The work is likely to take around 10 to 12 weeks and will involve the temporary closure of the southern and northern ends of the street with access for traders maintain via Regency Sq. Pedestrian access will be maintained as it is during the works.
 
As well as the pedestrian improvements, the council is also working with 25 property owners in Preston Street to improve the condition of buildings. Hanging baskets and advertisements for Preston Street are being organised by the Business Improvement District to give the street a boost and support traders.