Arts Lancashire has joined voices with local business and community leaders to support Blog Preston’s campaign to address Preston’s long-standing lack of a major cultural venue.
On behalf of the arts and culture sector in Lancashire, we have sent a letter to the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, calling for urgent support and resources for Preston City Council to secure the future of a major cultural venue, whether through the redevelopment of the historic Guild Hall or the creation of a new, fit-for-purpose facility.
The absence of a major cultural venue with significant capacity has left a damaging gap in Preston and Lancashire’s cultural infrastructure. Local artists and creative professionals face fewer opportunities to perform, exhibit, and develop their careers, audiences have limited access to high-quality cultural experiences, and the city’s wider cultural economy and reputation are constrained. Without a major venue for large-scale performances and events, Preston is losing ground to comparable cities, and the region’s creative potential remains underutilised.
Our letter outlines the urgent need to address this gap and calls for a major venue that can act as a cultural anchor – revitalising the city of Preston’s cultural offer and ecology and strengthening Lancashire’s profile as a vibrant creative region.
You can read the full letter below and sign the online petition to show your support for this vital campaign.
Preston Guild Hall Image Credit: Garry Cook