Aimee Seddon

Berghaus has opened its first standalone store in more than a decade at Manchester Arndale, returning to the brand’s northern roots after its 1966 founding in Newcastle upon Tyne. Co-founder Peter Lockey and ambassador Sir Chris Bonington opened the store, which is designed as a “Gateway to the Outdoors” and includes Repairhaus, a free gear-repair service. The page presents a gallery of photographs from the opening and store interior.

The latest NHS England GP Patient Survey, conducted by Ipsos, assesses patient experiences of GP practices, including ease of contact, appointment access and overall service quality. The article ranks Chorley surgeries by the proportion of patients rating their overall experience as good. In the visible results, Adlington Medical Centre and The Chorley Surgery are tied at 72%, followed by Clayton Brook Surgery at 74% and Buckshaw Village Health Centre at 75%.

Sixteen planning applications were submitted across Preston between 17 and 23 August 2026. Notable proposals include converting part of a home at Maxy House Farm into a private women’s health consultation service, changing the former Ashwood Hotel into a 25-bedroom house in multiple occupation, converting a former retail unit on Church Street into an apartment, and establishing a beauty salon on New Hall Lane. Other applications cover extensions, tree works, drainage and contamination conditions, demolition of a biomass boiler building, a new 50-space car park with electric-vehicle spaces, and rooftop solar panels.

A three-bedroom property on The Ploughlands in Preston is being marketed by Purplebricks for £190,000. The home includes off-road parking, a lounge with media wall, a modern kitchen and dining room, two double bedrooms, a smaller bedroom, a family bathroom and an enclosed landscaped garden with a versatile garden room. The property is presented as a potential first home and viewers are encouraged to arrange an early inspection.

A free Freshers Takeover event will be held at Preston Markets on 25 September during Freshers’ Week, organised by Battle of the Bands Preston with funding from Preston City Council. Rock FM DJ Mark Freejack will headline, supported by Jason Marx and Rambo Rich. Organiser Kevin Quinn says the event aims to make better use of the market, support local musicians and businesses, and introduce new and returning students to Preston’s music scene. The event is open to the public and requires no booking.