Preston bus station - 25 May 2019 (P1020182)

Saturday 25 May 2019 (0847) – Preston’s iconic bus station opened in October 1969 and a leaflet published by Ribble Motor Services for the opening said it was the largest bus station in Britain. Originally it had 80 loading stands.

The bays on the western side were numbered 1 to 40 and were primarily used by the buses of Preston Corporation Transport (plus Ribble on some joint services they worked with PCT). This part of the bus station is no longer used by buses and is being redeveloped. The buses now load exclusively on the eastern side.

The ground level passenger concourse is topped by a multi-storey car park with each deck featuring upturned fluted curves giving the building a most original look. In 2000 the City Council was planning its demolition to create a new city centre development but objections were raised to that plan and the campaigners successfully managed to obtain Grade II listing thus ensuring the building’s future.