Feria Urbanism worked with the Civic Trust to produce an after-dark strategy report for Preston, Lancashire. Like Bexleyheath, in 2008 Preston was selected as one of the eight Civic Trust NightVision pilot projects.

Preston is in a difficult and perhaps unique position: only 50kms away from two major world cities, it was itself awarded city status in 2002. So how does it assert itself with such powerful and illustrious neighbours? What is the role of a “third regional city”? And what is the role of the city’s evening economy when a resurgent Liverpool and a soar-away Manchester are so close by?

Our report set out ways in which Preston could address these challenges, including proposed interventions to the streets, spaces and buildings, changes to land use planning and new ideas for street lighting.