Design and build teams have been appointed to deliver the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Grade II-listed bus station in Preston, Lancashire.
The transport hub, which has become an icon of Brutalist architecture, will be refurbished by Conlon Construction, a Preston-based firm which has a wealth of heritage experience and marks its 55th anniversary this year.
In addition the project will include the construction of a new 2,600 sqm Youth Zone. Keepmoat, a community regeneration and construction specialist which operates across the UK and has significant expertise in public and listed buildings, is in line to build the youth zone.
The projects within the overall development programme will be subject to planning permission being granted.
Both schemes are being supported by Cassidy + Ashton which is providing planning services, working alongside New York-based architect John Puttick for the Youth Zone and Bus Station Concourse, and their own architects for the car park.
Preston Bus Station is owned by Lancashire County Council and the proposals have been created by them, working in partnership with the design team.
Conlon Construction and Keepmoat have worked together previously, with the pair joining forces to rebuild a large area of Lancashire Business Park near Leyland, on behalf of the county council, after it was ravaged by fire in December 2011.
Conlon is also well versed at working with Cassidy + Ashton, with the duo delivering a number of commercial and education schemes across Lancashire.
Alban Cassidy, chartered town planning and environmental consultant at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We’re very excited to be working on these projects – particularly because it’s on our doorstep and is of great interest to many people, not just those living locally. The programme has been very challenging but we have had the opportunity to work with some highly skilled organisations which has made the whole project incredibly rewarding. As a Prestonian I have always been proud of the Bus Station and I am delighted to be able to play a small part in ensuring it will remain for the benefit of future generations.”
Cassidy + Ashton has lodged the first of a number of applications and others will follow over the coming months.
