A timely reminder of why we need a vibrant local and hyperlocal media online...
Preston's Bus Station, threatened with demolition, is now a grade II listed building The decision to grant Preston Bus Station listed status probably isn't of interest to many outside of Preston and its immediate area, and of course architectural nerds. But it did show up why it's vital we have a vibrant local and hyperlocal media, because we can't rely on the BBC to keep us updated on what's happening in one of Lancashire's largest cities. Below are the website front pages of Blog Preston (which I am founder and editor of), Lancashire Evening Post, ITV Granada and the BBC's Lancashire news page just after 2pm on Monday 23 September. The news of the Bus Station broke with the LEP's associate editor Mike Hill tweeting the news, and well, the reactions followed fairly swiftly.
Preston bus station has been listed - story to follow
— Mike Hill (@Mike_Hill_LEP) September 23, 2013
But if you looked at the BBC Lancashire homepage you'd be forgiven for being none the wiser about a listing decision which will have huge ramifications for Preston and the surrounding area for years to come...
Blog Preston's frontpage around 2pm on Monday, Eamonn Holmes sandwiched between the Bus Station
The Lancashire Evening Post broke the news on Twitter
ITV News' "stream of news" approach meant they were quickly onto the Bus Station news
BBC Lancashire homepage as of just after 2pm Still at 2.41pm there's no mention of the Bus Station being listed. Although BBC Lancashire radio has mentioned and tweeted the story, as has BBC North West tonight. Update 3.05pm. The Bus Station is now leading the BBC Lancashire site, fair play:
Bus Station leads the Beeb website, after nearly 3 hours