Cynicism in Preston

By LBV

08 Mar 2010

One of the things that businesses take a good deal of care over nowadays is their company image.

Consistency of branding, placing your brand in the right places, investing in a quality website and good PR are seen as must do’s as part of any decent business strategy.

It is the same for cities and places. In Lancashire, we have seen the successful re-branding of East Lancashire to Pennine Lancashire. Liverpool used its year as European Capital of Culture to transform its image from a perceived industrial wasteland into a genuine visitor destination and a modern twenty first century city.

Years before, the Capital of Culture badge was effectively used by Glasgow to turn its fortunes around, with the memorable ‘Glasgow Smiles Better’ campaign at the heart of their marketing and promotion work.

Manchester has also used events, most notably the Commonwealth Games, to secure its position as the UK’s second city.

In 2012 we have a Guild Year in Preston. It is a once-in-every-25-years opportunity to showcase what the city has to offer to potential inward investors, and a chance to give the indigenous community some confidence in Preston’s future.

Preston’s recent past has been dominated by the debate over the possible regeneration of the town centre through the proposed £700 million Tithebarn development.

There have been so many false starts to this particular scheme- which to my mind now has only a slim chance of going ahead in its original form that it is little wonder a cynicism exists among Prestonians about the ability of its civic leaders to deliver any significant change.

However, though a state of cynicism means that you will seldom, if ever, be disappointed, it can also lead to inertia; to people becoming risk averse. Why put your head above the parapet with a new idea, only to be met with a chorus of criticism and scepticism from the wider community?

It is a genuine problem in Preston. The speed with which new initiatives or fresh proposals are dismissed is quite alarming. It is now up to public and private sector leaders to challenge this cynicism with a well of exciting and dynamic ideas that can turn Preston’s image around.

I am optimistic that as the Guild year approaches, the plans emerging from the revamped Preston Vision; from those who are planning the Guild and indeed from the private sector partners involved in Downtown’s ‘City Thinking’ campaign will create a platform on which a more vibrant image and future can be built.

It is important that the new agenda that is emerging is given a fair hearing, and a chance to succeed. Hopefully we can develop a series of initiatives that can do for Preston what the Capital of Culture did for Liverpool and Glasgow, what the Commonwealth Games did for Manchester.

The people of all those great cities got behind the ambition and vision of its city leaders. Let’s hope the people of Preston do the same.

Frank McKenna, Downtown Business in Preston.

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion Stephen Turner Group 55

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion

08 Apr 2025

2

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale Heath Groves

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale

08 Apr 2025

3

Pets Choice acquires Pettex and cat litter division Tony Raeburn at Pets Choice

Pets Choice acquires Pettex and cat litter division

07 Apr 2025

4

PWA Planning opens new office to support local and national growth Dan Hughes, Lauren Taylor, Paul Walton, Michael Coburn and Andrew Corrin

PWA Planning opens new office to support local and national growth

07 Apr 2025

5

Preston named as host city for new Lancashire innovation and tech festival Preston Partnership directors, Beckie Joyce, John Chesworth and Rob Binns

Preston named as host city for new Lancashire innovation and tech festival

07 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Business Support Showcase: Collaborate, Innovate, Grow
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
08 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Business Support Showcase: Collaborate, Innovate, Grow

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

11:00 - 13:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin