Prominent architect Richard Rogers has joined the calls to save Preston Bus Station from demolition. His intervention into the long-running saga comes as English Heritage considers the latest request to get the 1960s building listed.
The founder of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has an impressive CV. His work includes Paris cultural venue, the Pompidou Centre, and designs for a host of commercial developments.
Prominent among these are the Lloyds Building and the ‘Cheesegrater’ which is currently under construction on Leadenhall Street. Rogers has also acted as an architectural advisor to Mayor of London Boris Johnson and his predecessor Ken Livingstone.
Lending his support to the campaign to protect the station from the council’s plans to knock it down and replace it, Rogers described it as an ‘outstanding piece of 20th century architecture.’
“Preston Bus Station is not only admired internationally, but it also continues to be fully functioning. It is a critical transport hub.
“I would encourage you to consider listing the bus station and support a much-needed refurbishment,” he said.
This is the third attempt to secure listed status for the building and it appears its supporters may be running out of options. In March, Preston council rejected an offer of £1 for the bus station from a local businessman who pledged investment to maintain its current function and, at the same time, develop it into a retail and business space.
This prompted the Twentieth Century Society to, once again, call for the building to be listed. Consequently English Heritage is currently preparing a report which is due to be submitted sometime this summer.
In the meantime, the local authority has countered this move by submitting its own application calling for a five-year period of immunity from listing.
A decision is not expected in the immediate future, leaving both the buildings’ advocates and the council uncertain of the outcome for some time to come.
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