Preston BID

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Preston BID The offical page for news, offers & information from Preston city centre. Compiled by Preston's Business Improvement District.

We are a team of three, two full time and one part time people, which includes the BID Manager, Operations Officer/City Centre Warden, and Digital Marketing Officer. BID is managed by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit business support organisation, the biggest in Lancashire, which was founded in 1916. BID’s work is overseen by the BID Committee, made up of representatives of city centre businesses, who oversee and monitor our campaigns and business plan. We are funded by the businesses it represents in order to improve the overall trading conditions. We do this via work under three core values which are: Safety & Security, Visual, Vibrancy. We also have sub-committees which city centre businesses can join to help guide our work and share our focus for making the city centre a great place to invest, work and live. We offer discounted (and sometimes free…) services to BID members and arrange commercial events in order that they can meet prospective customers. We meet with key stakeholders regularly and campaign on behalf of our members to ensure that their collective voice is heard. Whilst both the City Council and County Council contribute to BID and are members of the project, BID remains independent of any public body. We are funded by business, for business. More information can be found on BID's website: www.bidpreston.co.uk or follow our other accounts on Twitter: .

Eligible businesses across Preston city centre have now received voting papers, as Preston Business Improvement District...
13/10/2026

Eligible businesses across Preston city centre have now received voting papers, as Preston Business Improvement District (BID) is officially in its ballot period.

The ballot, conducted independently by Civica, will determine whether Preston BID continues for a further five year term, with the official ballot day taking place on 29th October 2026.

The BID is urging eligible businesses to continue supporting the organisation and its plans for the next five years, which have been shaped through extensive consultation with businesses across Preston city centre.

The proposed programme builds on the work delivered by Preston BID to date, in collaboration with city centre businesses, while responding to the priorities, challenges and opportunities identified by city centre businesses during the consultation process.

John Boydell, BID’s Chair, said: “We are now entering an important stage for Preston BID, with eligible businesses being provided with a clear choice.

“Our plans for the next five years have been developed through consultation with the businesses we represent. We have listened to what businesses want from their BID and have used that feedback to shape our priorities for the next term.

“We are asking businesses to take the time to read the plans, issued with their voting papers, consider what the BID can continue to deliver for Preston city centre, and make sure their vote is cast before the ballot closes.”

Read More:
https://www.lancschamber.co.uk/preston-bid-enters-ballot-period-as-businesses-prepare-to-vote-on-plans-for-the-next-five-years/

City’s cultural scene is blossoming. 🎤
12/10/2026

City’s cultural scene is blossoming. 🎤

More than 3,500 people have signed call for city to have major venue again as it's a case of watch and wait over the 1970s building

Blog Preston caught up with some of the fab winners, from Wednesday's High Street Heroes Awards ceremony, from the BID a...
09/10/2026

Blog Preston caught up with some of the fab winners, from Wednesday's High Street Heroes Awards ceremony, from the BID and Visit Preston... take a look.

Once again, very well done to all the winners, and the brilliant finalists.

A big thanks to everyone who voted, too!

Plus what some of the winners had to say about being crowned as champions of the city centre

🏆 The BEST of Preston 🏆
08/10/2026

🏆 The BEST of Preston 🏆

High Street Heroes Awards returned to celebrate those who make a big difference to the city

PRESTON’S HIGH STREET HEROES CELEBRATED AT 2026 AWARDS CEREMONY Preston city centre’s outstanding businesses, individual...
08/10/2026

PRESTON’S HIGH STREET HEROES CELEBRATED AT 2026 AWARDS CEREMONY

Preston city centre’s outstanding businesses, individuals and high street champions were celebrated at the 2026 Preston High Street Heroes Awards, held in partnership with Preston BID and Visit Preston.

Preston’s High Street Heroes took centre stage at a special awards ceremony at the Guild Lounge on October 7, 2026, celebrating the people and businesses that help make Preston a vibrant place to shop, work, visit and do business.

Hosted by John Gillmore and Danny Bee, the ceremony brought together local businesses, community representatives and special guests to recognise the dedication, passion and hard work of those who go above and beyond to make a difference to Preston’s high streets.

Adding a touch of star quality to the occasion was special guest actress Sherrie Hewson, who joined the celebrations to help honour the achievements of Preston’s local heroes, determined by the public through a staggering 84,000 votes!

Organised in partnership with Preston BID and Visit Preston, the awards shine a spotlight on the people and organisations whose commitment, customer service, community spirit and entrepreneurial drive help Preston thrive.

The big awards, outstanding achievement in retail, outstanding achievement in leisure, and the Dougie Lowe City Ambassador award, went to Gordon Gibson of Action Records, Jonny Yates of Winckley Street Ale House, and community champion, Mel Close, respectively.

From independent businesses and familiar high street favourites to the individuals who make a lasting impression on customers and colleagues, the awards recognise the many contributions that make Preston a distinctive and welcoming destination.

Mark Whittle, from Preston BID, said: “The High Street Heroes Awards are all about recognising the fantastic people and businesses that make Preston what it is.

"Our high streets are about so much more than shopping, they are places where people meet, work, connect and build a sense of community. It is wonderful to celebrate the dedication and achievements of those who help make that happen at this sell out event”.

Councillor Kelly, Cabinet Member for Communities, Social Justice, and the Nighttime Economy said: “Our high street is the heart of Preston, and the Preston High Street Heroes Awards event is a fantastic way to recognise the individuals, businesses and organisations that go above and beyond to make it such a vibrant and welcoming place.

“From local, homegrown independent retailers, leisure and hospitality venues to dedicated staff and community champions, these are the people whose hard work, innovation and commitment help our city centre thrive.”

And the winners are…

BAR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: WINCKLEY STREET ALE HOUSE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: CHEW’S YARD

CLUB/LATE NIGHT VENUE OF THE YEAR
WINNER: THE WAREHOUSE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SHIPS & GIGGLES

INDEPENDENT EATERY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: SPUDBROS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SAUCIER PASTA

NATIONAL EATERY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: MOWGLI
HIGHLY COMMENDED: ARGENTO LOUNGE

PUB OF THE YEAR (CHAIN)
WINNER: THE BLACK HORSE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE ADELPHI

PUB OF THE YEAR (INDEPENDENT)
WINNER: CHEW’S YARD
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SHIPS & GIGGLES

LEISURE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: FRANK WHITELEY – CHEW’S YARD
HIGHLY COMMENDED: JONNY YATES - WINCKLEY STREET ALE HOUSE

RETAIL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: GORDON GIBSON – ACTION RECORDS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: NIKKI KEEFE – PICKLES OF PRESTON

MULTIPLE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: WATERSTONES
HIGHLY COMMENDED: PRIMARK

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: ACTION RECORDS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: GREEN PHEASANT

CUSTOMER SERVICE LEGEND – RETAIL
WINNER: GORDON GIBSON – ACTION RECORDS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: SAM LIVESEY – LIVESEY’S BUTCHERS

CUSTOMER SERVICE LEGEND – LEISURE
WINNER: JAMIE PECKHAM – CHEW’S YARD
HIGHLY COMMENDED: GARY QUINN – GUILD ALE HOUSE AND THE ORCHARD

MARKET TRADER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: LIVESEY’S BUTCHERS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: PICKLES OF PRESTON

PRESTON’S PROMO SUPERSTAR
WINNER: HARLEY & JACOB NELSON - SPUDBROS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: RORY COCKER – PRESTON PULSE

EVENT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: WALLACE & GROMIT AT THE HARRIS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: PRESTON PUB FESTIVAL

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – RETAIL
WINNER: GORDON GIBSON – ACTION RECORDS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: DAVE HYDE – WILL BANJOS

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT – LEISURE
WINNER: JONNY YATES – WINCKLEY STREET ALE HOUSE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: WILLIAM LOWE – WINEDOWN

COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
WINNER: PATRICIA HARRISON, FRIENDS OF WINCKLEY SQUARE
HIGHLY COMMENDED: RORY COCKER – PRESTON PULSE

THE PROUD PRESTON AWARD
WINNER: SAM LIVESEY – LIVESEY’S BUTCHERS
HIGHLY COMMENDED: GORDON GIBSON – ACTION RECORDS

THE DOUGIE LOWE CITY AMBASSADOR AWARD WINNER:
MEL CLOSE – DISABILITY EQUALITY NORTH WEST

Each award highlights the commitment, enthusiasm and community spirit that continue to support Preston’s businesses and high streets, with the highly commended recipients also receiving recognition for their outstanding contributions.

The winner of the city’s ‘Bloom Your Business’ competition, coinciding with BID’s ‘Canopy of Colour’ installation, also chosen by the public was Novello, with Ragu Italian Bistro in second place and Brucianni’s coming in third. The winners, second and third place, share a prize pot of £5,000.

With the support of Preston BID and Visit Preston, the High Street Heroes Awards
will continue to champion the people behind the city’s businesses and celebrate the
important role they play in Preston’s ongoing success.

And that's a wrap for the High Street Heroes Awards 2026. Well done to all our winners and the highly commended, to our ...
07/10/2026

And that's a wrap for the High Street Heroes Awards 2026. Well done to all our winners and the highly commended, to our guests tonight, our hosts John 'Gilly Gilmore' and Danny Bee, special guest, actor Sherrie Hewson, and to the voting public of Preston who chose the winners 👏👏👏

Mel Close, Disability North West, wins the Dougie Lowe City Ambassador award, collected on her behalf 👏
07/10/2026

Mel Close, Disability North West, wins the Dougie Lowe City Ambassador award, collected on her behalf 👏

A special tribute to Peter Jackson MBE of Peter Jacskon The Jeweller. 💎
07/10/2026

A special tribute to Peter Jackson MBE of Peter Jacskon The Jeweller. 💎

It's that familiar voice from off th'wireless, our other host for the evening, Danny Bee!
07/10/2026

It's that familiar voice from off th'wireless, our other host for the evening, Danny Bee!

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Preston
PR29WT

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01772 653000

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