Preston is the administrative centre of Lancashire and sits on the West Coast Main Line, with direct trains to London, Manchester and Glasgow. The University of Central Lancashire has its main campus in the city centre.

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The population grew 1.8% in the year to mid-2025, to 164,498, while Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield all shrank slightly. The average house price is £188,103, up 3.6% in a year, and average rents rose 5.9% over the same period.

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For Strada UK, Preston offers lower entry prices than Manchester or Leeds, with regeneration under way in the city centre through the Stoneygate masterplan and new jobs at the National Cyber Force base at Samlesbury.