WILL Friargate between Ringway and Fylde Street continue to decline?

Cut-off from the principal shopping area by the inner-ring road, it has failed to attract significant investment in recent times.

Like many parts of the town centre, it needs to be given a sense of direction, so that investors can feel confident they are doing the right thing, in an area that has a future.

I believe the area bounded by East Friargate, Ringway, Lawson Street and Walker Street, could have a bright future as Preston's new professional and financial services centre.

All the town's courts are now located adjacent to this area, the Magistrates, County Court and Crown Court have ben relocated from Lancaster Road or Starkie Street.

For obvious reasons solicitors and barristers like to be close to the courts. Accountants, estate agents, surveyors and financial services like to be close to lawyers. Attractive courtyard-style developments could provide professional office accommodation for meeting today's high-tech needs. Encouraging the professionals to move their workplaces out of Ribblesdale Place, Camden Place, Regent Street, Starkie Street, Winckley Square and areas off Fishergate Hill would allow many of the period properties to be returned to residential use, something that has been talked about by Preston Borough Council for many years but never made to happen.

The area bounded by the West side of Friargate, Ringway and Corporation Street should be designated as an area of specialist shops. With developments restricted to privately-owned small shops and boutiques, with a complete prohibition on multiple or national retailers occupying premises in this area, to avoid rents being forced up and independents forced out.

This is the sort of sense of purpose that Friargate needs and would attract investment.

Ray Johnson, Ribbleton, Preston.