PRESTON CITY CENTRE

Yes, I believe Preston is now a city and has been for twenty years. It used to have trams and these could be seen on the main thoroughfare, Fishersgate. This postcard view is from 1904 or thereabouts - without a tram in sight.

Two views of Fishersgate, this time with trams.

Another postcard showing Fishersgate, in the town centre, just after WW2.

 Ribble buses could be seen operating along Fishersgate and occasionally broke down, bringing out the towing vehicle, an old Leyland Tiger. It's seen here in 1978.

Proceeding down Fishersgate towards the railway station is Ribble 1524, an ex Blackburn Leyland Atlantean. It's passing a long closed Boddington's pub, the Theatre Tavern, in 1986.

Of course, Preston Buses (now part of the Rotala Group) can be seen in the city centre. Here's Olympian 106 there in 1996.

Comfybus, a small operator from the Southport area, run infrequent services into Preston.

Until 1969, when the new bus station opened, buses in Preston terminated at various points. This is Starch House Square around 1935, with a Viking Motors vehicle.

Preston Buses are to be seen in the new bus station. They once had a fleet of ancient Leylands, some of which were rebuilt with front entrances.

They also had some Leyland Panthers.

In 1979, this Dennis Dominator from Burton-on-Trent, was on loan as a demonstrator.

Now that Rotala have taken over, only the west side of the iconic bus station is in use.

Other operators used the east side and included Fishwick's of Leyland, Fylde Buses, Mercer's of Longridge and Phoenix Buses.

The main operator on the east side of Preston bus station was Ribble Motor Services.

Stagecoach took over most of the Ribble operations. This Atlantean had been new to Barrow.

Beer time now! First stop, the Preston Brewery. It's no longer in existance, this photo being from 1992.

The Windsor Castle pub is also now no more.

Gaston's was once a real ale have. It's still in existence, but has no cask beer and is called 'Baker Street'.

Another casualty, the Lamb & Packet.

Thankfully, the Black Horse, owned by Robinson's, is still going strong.

Always a good bet for a decent pint, the Market Tavern.

Around the corner is a newish micropub, the Guild Ale House.

Finally, no visit to Preston is complete with a few pints in the Old Black Bull.

That's it for Preston, we'll leave the city behind in the next post.