The Park Hotel
The Park Hotel, East Cliff
At the time of the formation of Preserving Preston’s Heritage, The Park Hotel on East Cliff was not in use and in a poor state of repair. The building is privately owned, and linked to the Lancashire Council Pension Fund. By the end of 2025, the security had been improved and break ins had reduced.
Whilst the former Park Hotel building had not been empty for quite as long as the nearby St. Joseph’s Orphanage, it had also been a target for Urban Explorers and has suffered a lot of vandalism. Fortunately, as of September 2025, there doesn’t appear to have been any break-ins that have resulted in serious fire.
This article from the BBC website describes plans for Preston’s Park Hotel to welcome guests for first time in 70 years:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-68185043
There had been some delays with the planning applications, but things seem to be moving again, as of late summer 2025. The ‘Farington Square’ redevelopment, in which the former hotel is included, will be undertaken by The Heaton Group.
Summer 2026 Update
The Heaton Group confirmed the successful completion of the acquisition of the former Park Hotel site on 18th February 2026, marking a defining milestone in the delivery of Farington Square, a significant regeneration project for Preston city centre. The completion follows approval of the revised scheme by Preston City Council in October 2025, with full planning permission formally granted on 19th February 2026.
The site was acquired from the Lancashire County Pension Fund, whose assets are managed by LPPI. With the necessary milestones achieved, The Heaton Group is confidently moving into the delivery phase of Farington Square.
Farington Square will deliver 239 high-specification apartments alongside The Farington, a 92 room spa hotel featuring a gym, café and coworking space. At the heart of the scheme is the careful and sympathetic restoration of the original hotel building, an iconic structure with deep roots in the city’s history. Rather than replace it, The Heaton Group will preserve and celebrate its architectural character, working with award-winning interior designers to create a contemporary hospitality experience that honours the building’s heritage.
The scheme has been thoughtfully designed as a refined, wellness-led destination that respects the building’s heritage while creating sustainable long-term value.
The Heaton Group: https://heatongroup.co.uk/news/heaton-group-farington-square-acquisition/
[ Last updated by Ashley Warren Preston on Tuesday 1st September 2026 ]
The Park Hotel History
The former Park Hotel was built between 1880 and 1882 as a railway hotel catering to passengers travelling through Preston. It opened in 1883. Former guests are reported to have included the future King Edward VII, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and Gracie Fields. Its strategic, landmark location offers scenic views of the surrounding parklands and is a key feature of views in the Avenham Conservation Area, which is notable for its mixture of townhouses, attractive views, and listed parks. Both Miller Park and Avenham Park are Grade II* listed and were designed by landscape designer Edward Milner in 1861 and 1864, respectively. Milner (1819-1884) was originally apprenticed to Sir Joseph Paxton, best known for designing the Crystal Palace. Miller and Avenham parks are considered significant as early examples of municipal park. The location of the hotel is therefore extremely sensitive as it is so prominent and affects numerous other heritage assets around it.
The New Railway Hotel (later Park Hotel)
East Cliff Preston
The Architect Thomas Mitchell gained the first premium of £200 in an open competition to design The New Railway Hotel at East Cliff in Preston during 1880 and was awarded the commission. The Hotel was constructed between 1880 and 1882. The commission was for the London and North Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Companies and the building contractor was Robert Neill & Sons of Manchester.
The hotel structure was used as offices by Lancashire County Council for a number of decades. The administrators of Lancashire County Council’s own pension fund took ownership of the site in 2016. In 2020, the adjoining 1960s office tower was demolished.
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The New Railway Hotel in Preston became The Park Hotel:
https://www.mylancs.uk/2026/08/the-new-railway-hotel-preston-the-park-hotel.html