A CREATIVE quarter is being planned to rejuvenate a rundown area of Preston city centre.

City chiefs want to encourage a hive of creative industries like media design and film companies to start up in Church Street with the help of graduates from the University of Central Lancashire.

It is to hoped this will boost private sector confidence in the area and help to create up to 100 new businesses.

The quarter forms part of the Tithebarn master plan and includes a business incubator unit, where new start ups would be given direction and help, and a creative design centre.

Economic regeneration manager at Preston City Council, Keith Launchbury, said: "The project is about regenerating the area around Church Street and retaining graduates in the city." The plan will cost about £840,000 and the council is seeking £249,000 in funding from the Single Regeneration Budget, which is granted through AvenCentral and about £285,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. A decision on these bids will be made towards the end of February, and the rest of the money is expected to come from the council, the private sector and the university. Actor and director Harmage Singh Kalirai is cooperating with Chicken Tikka Masala producers Seven Spice Productions on their planned film incubator unit, as revealed in the Citizen last month. He said: "This is about making Preston a shining example of a city and a regional centre for performing and visual arts."