• Work is underway on £1.2m ‘sympathetic restoration’ of Winckley Square Gardens
• Barton Grange Landscapes contracted to carry out major project
• Project bid led by private sector and involves Groundwork, Preston City Council, Lancashire County Council, Preston BID and Preston Historical Society
• Plans can be viewed here




Leaders behind the project have promised a sympathetic yet transformational restoration and the start of the work has been described as an ‘exciting time’ for Preston.
Contractors from Preston-based Barton Grange Landscapes have now been appointed. The aim is for the work to be completed in October, weather permitting.
The Gardens will be completely closed off while the work is taking place and there will be some restrictions to the parking days close to the southern entrance. All roads and pavements around the Square will remain open.
The scheme was given the go ahead last year after the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund announced a bid for almost £950,000 was approved.
The project has also received £150,000 from Preston’s Business Improvement District and smaller grants.
The improvements include:
• New and improved entrance and access points
• The restoration of all the railings around the Gardens
• Resolving the current flooding problems through improved land drainage
• Introducing lighting into the Gardens to improve security at night times
• The creation of new heritage reference points, plaques and displays throughout the Gardens
• New, wider footpaths with new high quality surfaces
• Replacement of worn and outdated 1980s seating
• Cleaning and repairing the Robert Peel statue, restoring its original inscriptions, and providing a higher quality setting for the statue

Barton Grange Landscapes was awarded the contract following a procurement process earlier this summer.