Demolish Preston bus station, says council chief

PRESTON City Council has suggested the demolition of the city’s bus station building is its only “only affordable and realistic option”.

In a statement it said essential repairs will cost £5.4m and a complete refurb up to £23.1m.

Nearly two years ago campaigners failed in their bid to have the 1960s terminal preserved as a building of significant architectural or historic interest.

At that point it stood in the way of the £700m Tithebarn retail scheme, which has since stalled.

If cabinet members back the plan on December 17 a planning application will be submitted next month and be considered by March.

Council leader Peter Rankin said: “This is a truly difficult decision for the council. I do understand why some people like the building and want to keep it.  

“It is a building that creates strong emotions both for and against. Certainly as a council we have looked at and explored the option of investing and refurbishing the current bus station building.

“The costs alone for repairing the bus station building – with the new lifts, ramps and various concrete repairs needed – are in excess of £5.4m. As a council we only have £5m available. We have decided to use this to spearhead development in Preston city centre.”

He stressed that the building was 40 years into its “60-year design life” and the council would have to borrow between £17m and £23m to renovate it, attracting annual interest of £2.1m. It is also too big for Preston and under-utilised, said Cllr Rankin.

The council estimates a new bus station will cost betwen £10.8m and £15.3m.