Preston's Mobile Event Tent (MET) makes a return for 2022

Preston's Mobile Event Tent (MET) makes a return for 2022.

Opening May 14, the MET will be installed at the former Indoor Market site, as part of Preston's , invigorating the city centre and helping to encourage people back into central Preston and supporting businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

Upcoming MET events 

The MET will offer a full and free programme of creative events for the community, kicking off with a powerful story telling event reflecting on Preston residents' experiences over the last 18 months of the pandemic.

Fresh contemporary events space

The contemporary structure of The MET has been designed and developed in Preston, in partnership with architect Charlie Mackeith of Research Design and Professor Charles Quick of In Certain Places, UCLan. The interior walls have been decorated by artist Jenny Steele, who was commissioned to work with Preston City's different cultural groups.

The design is made from specially adapted shipping containers, a state-of-the-art fabric cover and other materials to create an inspiring 150 square metre space capable of accommodating up to 100 people.

The MET will play a key role in encouraging people back into the city centre, generating economic activity, and providing work for local artists. After the summer, it is expected that The Met will move on to various other locations across Preston to host community, networking, arts and music events.

Chris Hayward, Director of Development at Preston City Council, said:

"It's a great opportunity to be able to host a diverse city centre events programme, especially while the Harris Museum is undergoing much-needed renovations.

"The interactive and unique space that The Met will provide for residents, will be an excellent boost for the city and as part of the Towns Fund and Preston City Investment Plan."

John Chesworth, Executive Chairman of Harrison Drury Solicitors and Chair of the Preston Towns Fund Board added:

"The Pop-Ups programme is just the start of what will be a sustained programme of investment in the city centre using the Towns Fund money we've secured.

"We're incredibly excited to unveil these plans for The MET which will provide a truly unique event space for arts, culture, and other events including theatre, live music, business conferences, exhibitions and community events.

"The MET will be a valuable asset in attracting people to our City and helping boost the economy."

Professor Charles Quick, Professor of Public Art Practice at UCLan, said:

"This will be an important piece of community cultural infrastructure, which like projects in the past and present, will not only contribute to the lives of people in Preston and surrounding districts, but will attract attention from much further afield. It will continue the tradition of Preston as somewhere that is the first to test new physical, architectural, and social structures." 

About the Harris Quarter Pop-Ups Programme

The project is being financed from £1 million of initial funding the city secured from the government's Towns Fund for a series of 'Pop-up' regeneration projects in the Harris Quarter. 

The city received a total of £20.9 million from the Towns Fund in March 2021 to support its wider .

Map address for the MET