If you’re visiting Preston for work, whether it’s a short overnight stay for a meeting, or a longer visit for work training or contract work, you might be wondering what to expect. Visiting Preston for business is becoming increasingly popular, and here at the No.10 Preston Hotel, we have produced this guide to everything you might need to know.
What do you need to know when visiting Preston for business?
There are a variety of different things that it can be useful to know when visiting Preston for work or training. These include:
- Transport and getting around
- Business meetings and conference spaces
- Business culture in Preston
- Dining and business entertaining
- Leisure and sightseeing opportunities
Transportation and getting around Preston
Preston is well connected to the rest of the UK by road, rail, and air, and once you are here, we’re sure you’ll agree that there are plenty of options for getting around in Preston. These include:
- Taxis and ride-sharing- Local taxi services such as Millers Taxis and Eagle Taxis are available, alongside ride-sharing options like Uber.
- Public transport- There are a wide range of buses that operate local routes, which can be useful if your business meetings are spread across different areas of the city.
- Walking and cycling- The city centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, and cycling is also a convenient option with dedicated cycle lanes in many areas.
Business meeting and conference venues
Preston has a wide range of popular venues that are frequently used for business meetings, conferences, and networking events.These include:
- Cotton Court Business Centre- Provides office spaces, meeting rooms, and co working facilities.
- The Exchange at County Hall- Situated on the top floor of the historic County Hall, The Exchange provides modern conferencing facilities with panoramic city views, suitable for conferences, meetings, training sessions, exhibitions, and networking events.
- JMC Conference Centre- A dedicated conference building with award winning catering.
- Society1- If you need coworking spaces, Society1 is a popular choice, providing shared office space and networking opportunities.
Business culture in Preston
Business culture in Preston is not unlike the rest of the UK, though Preston does have particularly strong ties to local industry areas. Many business travellers to Preston say the same things about the business culture, including:
- Networking- Preston has a strong business community, with regular events held by the Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and local business networking groups like Shout Network.
- Formality- While business in Preston is professional, many companies adopt a friendly and relaxed approach, especially in informal meetings.
- Local industries- The city has strengths in sectors such as manufacturing, digital and creative industries, education, and professional services.
Dining and business entertaining
Whether you’re being wined and dined by your new team, or you need to impress clients, Preston is packed with opportunities for business dining and entertaining. Some of the popular options include:
Fine Dining:
- Aven Restaurant– Aven is an intimate 32-cover contemporary fine dining restaurant in Preston City Centre, perfect for business lunches and formal dinners.
- Twist– A dining experience that offers a great setting for business discussions.
Casual dining and cafés:
Brucciani’s– Established in 1932, Brucciani’s is a staple café on Preston’s high street and perfect for informal meetings.
Coco’s Soul Food– A delight for light bites and with a range of culinary experiences to choose from, this cafe is also perfect for informal meetings.
For after work drinks, consider Plau Gin and Beer House or The Continental, which offer a great atmosphere for informal networking.
Leisure and sightseeing opportunities
We hope that your business trip to Preston will allow you some free time to take in a few of the great things that Preston has to offer, including:
- Avenham and Miller Parks- Great for a relaxing walk between meetings.
- Deepdale Stadium- Football fans may want to visit the home of the great Preston North End FC.
Choosing accommodation for your business trip to Preston
For luxury and comfort on your business trip to Preston, choose the No.10 Preston Hotel as the best choice for Hotels Preston. With a fantastic city centre location, close to all business hubs, our hotel boasts top quality apartments for a great night’s sleep. Why not take a look at our rooms and availability today?