There is no reason for a major redevelopment of the area around Preston station to be derailed by the cancellation of the northern leg of the HS2 link, according to a city property expert.
Matt, who is the managing director of residential property agency Easthams and Co., told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it would be frustrating if that blueprint were allowed to hit the buffers – not least because he believes it is the lack of suitable premises that is deterring potential investors in the city, rather than the time it takes to travel here from elsewhere.
While Cllr Brown stressed that a full assessment of the changed situation would be needed – and that “a conversation” was still required about public sector office space – Matt Eastham says that it makes no sense to suggest that Preston’s regeneration vision hinged on HS2. He added that most of those who would work in any newly-built offices would either already live in the city or would move to it.
He said that decent office space would only enhance Preston’s attraction to big-name employers, as a result of cheaper land values than in some bigger cities.