Living And Working In Preston

Preston, which obtained its city status as recently as 2002, is a city located in the county of Lancashire, in the North West of England. It is situated on the north bank of the River Ribble, approximately thirty miles from Manchester and twenty seven miles from Liverpool. Manchester Airport is forty miles from Preston and the city is slightly over two hundred and fifteen miles from London, depending on the route taken. Regular and direct train services can get you into the capital in a little over two hours.

The lively and dynamic city of Preston has an interesting history which dates back to the Roman period and by the medieval times, it was already an important market town and producing textiles. The Industrial Revolution brought engineering works, canals and railways which all helped transform Preston. By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Preston was a major centre for the cotton industry with mills and factories dotting the landscape and employing thousands of workers. The textiles were being shipped all over the world as the industry flourished. However, the decline of the industry in the mid twentieth century led to a period of economic uncertainty as it struggled to adapt to changing economic conditions.

Preston is now the economic centre of Lancashire with fantastic connectivity, a highly talented and motivated workforce and offers a superb quality of life. There are several transformations and projects that are developing and supporting Preston’s visions for the future. The city is committed to attracting new investors and businesses and is a hub for high value business sectors which include finance, business sectors and computing. Other strong key sectors include education, healthcare, administrative roles, scientific and research, manufacturing, engineering and retail.

The University of Central Lancashire has a campus in the  city centre and is a high performing university which is consistently ranked highly and has a strong reputation. Several other further education establishments are also in Preston.

There's plenty to see and do in Preston due to its rich cultural heritage. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is highly impressive with a vast collection of art and artefacts. The wonderful River Ribble runs through the city where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the banks and take in the scenery. Avenham and Miller Parks, which are situated next to each other, offer a great place for a picnic or just to relax. There is also a wonderful Japanese garden. You can discover the history of the city by visiting places such as the Museum of Lancashire and St Walburge’s Church or visit the Docks which is a fun way to spend an afternoon with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants as well as a marina and museum.

The city has a vibrant nightlife and you can watch performances at venues like the Guild Hall and the Continental. Preston also has several indoor and outdoor markets where you can buy everything from fresh produce to handmade goods.

Sporting enthusiasts will be interested to learn that Preston has a strong sporting history and several claims to fame with a home football stadium called Deepdale.

The Guild Wheel is a lovely twenty one mile long cycling and walking route that takes you around the city’s green spaces and heritage sites, whilst the city itself is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Preston offers a fantastic choice for those seeking a high quality of life in a dynamic and affordable city with plenty of opportunities for career growth and cultural enrichment.

If you’re looking for a new career in Perth, we recommend attending our Preston Careers Fair! Our career fair will offer candidates from all backgrounds, experience and education levels the opportunity to speak to representatives from an abundance of local employers. Book a ticket today!