Act Four - Setting the Scene IV.V

The New Clock Tower

Preston’s Gothic Town Hall was burnt in 1947 and with it an important landmark and node of the city was lost: The Clock Tower. The site lies just south of the historic town hall and aligns with several nodes and axis of the city. The Planning Documents for the site denote an aspiration to create a new landmark point to link with other historic nodes such as The Cenotaph, Sir Robert Peel statue and Spires of St Walburge’s Church and Preston Minister. Historically, a crucial timekeeper for the city the New clock tower will be an instantly recognisable time piece for residents and visitors alike, allowing them to navigate around the city centre. The art-Deco style of the tower draws inspiration from cinema marquees of the 1920s, linking to the historic facade and cinematic past and also creating a key entrance point into the site.