Preston : City-Centre Perambulation - 12th August 2023

It was the long campaign to fight the destruction of the magnificent bus station that put the city of Preston on the international map for lovers of Brutalism, but there’s much more modern architecture to see. This tour focusses on the work of Roger Booth, County Architect for Lancashire 1962-83, in the context of other buildings of the period, with privileged access to the County Archives.

The tour will be led by two acknowledged experts in their fields: Steve Marland, popular tour leader and visual chronicler of all strands of the modernist legacy and Richard Brook, Director of Research, Lancaster School of Architecture. Notes will be provided.

The Twentieth Century Society, Northwest and the modernist society come together to present this event in memory of Aidan Turner-Bishop (1948-2022), a founding member of the Twentieth Century Society, Northwest and an enthusiastic friend and supporter of the modernist society since its inception.

Itinerary

10.45 Meet at the Lancashire County Archives, Bow Lane, PR1 2RE, five minutes from Preston rail station.

11.00-12.30 Guided tour of the archives (County Architects Office under Roger Booth, 1976) by Kathryn Newman, Archivist, with an opportunity to see a small exhibition and a look behind the scenes at one of the eight strongrooms.

12.30-1.45 Lunch

1.45-4.00 Walking tour led by Steve Marland, with Professor Richard Brook. Notable buildings include Telephone House ( BDP, 1960-64), Magistrate’s Court (Roger Booth) and Lancastria House, the former Co-op store (William Albert Johnson, 1920s-30s) now part of a new city-centre cinema and restaurant complex.

4.00 Finish at Preston bus station (Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of BDP, with Ove Arup Partners 1969), Tithebarn Street, PR1 1Y; about 25 minutes walk from the rail station. 

Booking

Places are limited so early booking is essential. You are invited to select how much you would like to pay, minimum £15.

A donation will be made to SAVE Britain’s Heritage in memory of Aidan Turner-Bishop.

Organised by the modernist society and Twentieth Century Society, Northwest, with the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Lancashire County Archives.

Photos: Steve Marland

NB: - this is partly an outdoor event and is at the mercy of the weather, please dress accordingly, and take extra care with road traffic and all those other on street hazards!