What’s the alternative?
An alternative community vision:
Public acquisition of Preston Market.
Our alternative proposal
On Saturday 26th of February 2022 the Preston community came together to celebrate Preston Market and to demand that the government take the steps it needs to to save the market.
Hundreds of locals came through and gave feedback on the alternative plans our local community town planners and architects came up with for the market site, which most importantly included keeping the current market where it is and as it is, refurbishing and upgrading the existing market facilities for the traders, and building a civic center around the market that would benefit the community in many ways.
We believe that instead of pursuing the limited goal of private profit at the expense of the community, the government should dream big, buy the market, and plan for an amazing multipurpose civic space with the existing market as its heart.
See detailed alternative plans:
It has been done before.
In response to plans released by the VPA showing the intended demolition of 80% of the Preston Market and development of the Market precinct site into dense apartment buildings, The Save the Preston Market Action Group has produced an alternative community vision for the Preston Market precinct site, based on a public acquisition scenario which would see the market and surrounds become publicly owned. A vision for this scenario is presented here in the Community Vision Masterplan.
Under this scenario, the Market itself would remain where it is and as it is with just a simple revamp, such as refurbishment of the roof to let more natural light and ventilation through the building.
Parklands and carparks can re-think the area.
The car parking areas surrounding the market would be moved underground, opening opportunities for the site to provide some much needed public parklands, as well as new community building facilities such as public, social and affordable housing typologies, library and youth services, co-working spaces, tool libraries, and additional ground floor retail provision.
The Save the Preston Market Action Group wishes to demonstrate with this alternative Community Vision that this key piece of community infrastructure – the Preston Market – should not only be saved from 80% demolition as suggested by the VPA and developers, but that the site’s acquisition into public ownership opens further opportunities to transform the Market’s surroundings for the benefit of the community, without detracting from the Market’s function.
The new station precinct around Preston train station following the level crossing removal project provides impetus to renew the Preston Market site as a central community and transport hub.