IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Avenham Lane, PRESTON, PR1 3SS

By John Welch, 1846-49 (the terrace in front by George Latham, 1849). All quite impressive and austere, a Composite portico and nice carved crest above the door, Greek Revival in character. Grade II* listed. This actually began life as the Institute for the Diffusion of Knowledge, a novel concept for an education facility to modern eyes. At the time of the photo it was occupied by the University of Central Lancashire but has since been vacated and awaits a new owner.

The Harris Institute building on Avenham Lane was opened in 1849 as the Preston Institution for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. It was extended in 1883 using funds provided by a local benefactor, Edward Robert Harris, who stipulated that it should be used for educational purposes. In more recent times it has been the Harris School of Art and later the Darul Aloom Islamic Institution. It was also used for a time by The University of Central Lancashire for its Department of Performing Arts. However, the grade II listed building has been unused since 2014 and Historic England has expressed concern at its deteriorating condition. A police raid in January 2023 found a large cannabis farm on the ground floor. The front door has since been secured in the rather makeshift manner visible here. The future is uncertain although a group called the Friends of the Harris School of Art hope to purchase it and use it as a community arts centre.

This is the Grade II-listed Harris Institute, Preston, Lancashire, which was once home to the Mechanics Institute and subsequently the Harris School of Art and part of the University of Central Lancashire. The building is currently derelict with no plans in place for its future use.

I am standing at the top of Regent Street in Preston, Lancashire, where it turns onto Starkie Street and am looking down towards Ribblesdale Place and Avenham Lane.

Now part of the University of Central Lancashire Campus

Built 1846-1849 and a Grade II* listed building. The building has always fulfilled an educational role. In recent times it was used by the University of Central Lancashire. This ended in 2007 when Performing Arts were moved to the new 'Media Factory' at the university: Image Whilst run by UCLan it was known as the 'Avenham Building'. The building laid empty until it was auctioned in 2009. It was refurbished and became an Islamic education centre. It is currently vacant and back up for sale.

Now for sale - it doesn't look suitable for conversion to apartments.

This row of terraced houses on Regent street dates from around 1860 and forms part of the Avenham Conservation Area.

Bairstow Street is a residential street in Preston.

An entrance to Avenham Park in Preston. This image was taken in the month of October, as leaves on the trees were turning from green to golden yellow. The cobbled street to the right of the image, Avenham Colonnade, forms part of routes 6 and 62 of the National Cycle Network as they enter Avenham Park.