Area Guide for

Lancaster

Including:

Lancaster Overview Travel Guide Sport, Leisure and Entertainment Places of Worship Shopping Local Services Schools

Healthcare Facilities Vets Recycling Estate Agents Council Tax Properties

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Lancaster Overview

Lancaster is the most northerly city in the county of Lancashire, located three miles inland from Morecambe Bay. A constituent settlement in the local government district City of Lancaster, it is located on the River Lune and the Lancaster Canal. Long existing as a commercial, cultural and educational centre, Lancaster is the settlement that gives Lancashire its name. Lancaster has several unique ties to the British monarchy; the House of Lancaster was a branch of the English royal family, whilst the Duchy of Lancaster holds large estates on behalf of Elizabeth II, who herself is also the Duke of Lancaster.

Lancaster gained its first charter in 1193 as a market town and borough, but was not given city status until 1937. Many buildings in the city centre and along St. George's Quay date from the 19th century, built during a period when the port became one of the busiest in the UK; the fourth most important in the UK's slave trade. However, Lancaster's role as a major port was short-lived, as the river began to silt up. Morecambe, Glasson Dock and Sunderland Point served as Lancaster's port for brief periods. Heysham now serves as the district's main port.

Lancaster is primarily a service-oriented city. Products of Lancaster include animal feed, textiles, chemicals, livestock, paper, synthetic fibre, farm machinery, HGV trailers and mineral fibres. In recent years, a high technology sector has emerged, as a result of Information Technology and Communications companies investing in the city. In addition to Lancaster University, Lancaster is also home to a campus of the University of Cumbria, which provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, social sciences, business, teacher training, health care and nursing.

The Bay is a radio station based at St. George's Quay in the city and broadcasts on three separate frequencies: 96.9 FM (Lancaster), 102.3 FM (Windermere) and 103.2 FM (Kendal). Lancaster city is also home to A1 Pictures, which founded the independent film brand Capture. Every November, the city hosts one of the biggest fireworks displays in the north west.

Although a city with a high level of contemporary cultural activity, Lancaster has retained many historical characteristics such as examples of Georgian architecture. Lancaster Castle, the Priory Church of St. Mary and the Edwardian Ashton Memorial are among many sites of historical importance.

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In terms of housing, the city centre of Lancaster comprises mostly of apartments. Other recommended areas of residence in and around the city are Fairfield, Haverbreaks, Greaves, Scotforth, Bowerham, Primrose, Moorlands and Freehold. For general information on Lancaster including news and events, Virtual Lancaster is a non-commercial volunteer led community online resource website: www.virtual-lancaster.net

Travel Guide

Driving to Lancaster University

A = Lancaster City Centre, B = Lancaster University

Lancaster University is located at Bailrigg, just south of the city. The most direct driving route from the city centre to the university is 3.2 miles and takes approximately 11 minutes.

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General Driving

The M6 motorway passes to the east of Lancaster, with junctions 33 and 34 to the south and north respectively. The A6 road passes through the city leading southwards to Preston, Chorley and Manchester and northwards to Carnforth, Kendal, Penrith and Carlisle. Bus / Coach

The main bus operator in Lancaster is Stagecoach, which operates over thirty services in Lancaster and Morecambe.

City Centre bus stops are shown as A-F

For bus routes and timetables, visit: www.lancaster.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/public-transport

National Express coach service pickup point is the main bus station on Wood Street (see above map, between Cable Street and Damside Street), connecting Lancaster to various destinations throughout the UK including London. For further information, call +44 (0)8717 818181 or visit www.nationalexpress.com.

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Train

Lancaster is served by the West Coast Main Line which runs through Lancaster railway station.

Lancaster is served by several train operators:

• Virgin Trains operates express trains from London Euston to Carlisle and Glasgow Central, and from Glasgow to Birmingham New Street. These services normally use platforms 3 and 4. Their website is www.virgintrains.co.uk.

• First TransPennine Express operates regional express services from Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness via the Furness Line, and to Windermere via the Windermere Branch Line and to Cumbria and Scotland via the West Coast Main Line. These services also use platforms 3 and 4.

• Northern Rail operates local services, along the Furness Line to Barrow-in-Furness, the Morecambe Branch Line to Morecambe and Heysham and the Leeds to Morecambe Line to Skipton and Leeds. Their website is www.northernrail.org.

For train times and fares, visit the National Rail Enquiries website: www.nationalrail.co.uk

Cycling

In 2005, Lancaster was one of six English towns chosen to be cycling demonstration towns to promote the use of cycling as a means of transport. A network of linked cycle tracks in the city centre and local areas (including to the University campus) provide effective transportation routes for leisure and commuting.

For further information, visit: www.celebratingcycling.org Air

Manchester Airport is situated approximately 60 miles from Lancaster. Trains go direct from Lancaster station to Manchester Airport station at a journey time of 1 hour 21 minutes. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is situated approximately 66 miles away; the most direct journey by train from Lancaster is to Liverpool Lime Street station, changing at Preston, at a minimum journey time of 1 hour 24 minutes.

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Sport, Leisure and Entertainment

Lancaster's main football team, Lancaster City, play in the Northern Premier League Division One North. Lancaster John O' Gaunt Rowing Club is the fifth-oldest surviving rowing club in the UK, outside of the universities, competing nationally at regattas and heads races. The clubhouse is located next to the weir at Skerton. Lancaster Cricket Club is sited near the River Lune in Lancaster. They have two senior teams that participate in the Northern League. Rugby union is a popular sport in the area with the local clubs being Vale of Lune RUFC and Lancaster CATS.

The city hosts the Lancaster International Youth Games, a multi-sport 'Olympic' style event, featuring competitors from Lancaster's twin towns: Rendsburg (Germany), Perpignan (France), Viana do Castelo (Portugal), Aalborg (Denmark), Almere (Netherlands), Lublin (Poland) and Växjö (Sweden).

Lancaster is home to many golf clubs, including the Ashton Golf Centre, Lansil Golf Club, Forest Hills and Lancaster Golf Club. Lancaster's swimming club is 'Lancaster Amateur Swimming and Waterpolo Club'; the team train at Salt Ayre Sports Centre and Lancaster University Sports Centre.

The local athletics track situated near the Salt Ayre Sports Centre in which the track is home to Lancaster and Morecambe AC. The club regularly fields athletes across athletics disciplines, including Track and Field,Cross Country, Road and Fell Running. The club competes in a number of local and national leagues including the Young Athletics League, the Northern Athletics League and the local Mid Lancs League.

Lancaster is home to SMARTAC Gym Club, which specialises in acro and with a trampoline subsidiary named SMARTAC Trampoline Club. As well as national competitions, the gym club has competed in two World Gymnaestradas. The club trains at the University of Cumbria Sports Complex.

The Lancaster Grand Theatre and the Dukes are two of the city's most notable venues for live performances as well as the Yorkshire House. Lancaster also hosts 'The Play in the Park', a series of open-air performances in the award-winning Williamson Park. The university hosts public performances of theatre, music, exhibitions, contemporary dance and live art from UK and international companies. The university venues include the Nuffield Theatre, one of the largest professional studio theatres in Europe; the Peter Scott Gallery, holding the most significant collection of Royal Lancastrian ceramics in Britain and finally the

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Lancaster International Concerts series attracting nationally and internationally renowned classical and world-music artists. The Storey Gallery, sited in the Storey Creative Industries Centre, is a contemporary art gallery showing work by international artists. The Storey Creative Industries Centre also holds Lancaster's Litfest which organises and runs an annual literature festival. Lancaster also offers numerous museums, including Lancaster City Museum, Maritime Museum and Judges' Lodgings Museum. Throughout the year, various festivals are held in and around the city, such as the Lancaster Jazz Festival and The Maritime Festival.

Lancaster offers a range of hotels, ranging from chains such as Holiday Inn, Travelodge, Best Western to smaller boutique hotels. The contemporary Lancaster House hotel is found alongside Lancaster University’s campus.

Sport, Leisure & Entertainment Venues:

• The Dukes (theatre) – stages plays, ballets, comedy and special events • Nuffield Theatre – performance venue, run by the Lancaster Institute for

the Contemporary Arts (LICA) • Lancaster Grand Theatre – performing arts venue for plays, comedy

and musical productions • Lancaster Golf Club – golf course for both professionals and amateurs,

located on the scenic grounds of Ashton Hall • Vue Cinema • Morecambe Superbowl – ten-pin bowling venue

Places of Interest:

• Lancaster Castle – historical site owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with sections open to the public

• Lancaster Cathedral • Trough of Bowland – natural beauty

spot, comprising of moors, lakes and woodland

• Williamson Park – scenic parkland with duck pond, children’s play area, butterfly house and onsite cafe

• Lancaster City Museum – collection of artefacts and historical information about the city

• Lancaster Maritime Museum – maritime exhibitions and interactive displays; includes a feature on the RMS Titanic

• Cottage Museum – historical building featuring artefacts and depictions of 19th century life

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• Forrest Hills – award-winning function venue in scenic location, with ten-hole golf course

• Gresgarth Hall Gardens – riverside gardens with terraces and herbaceous borders

• Lancaster Brewery – includes visitor centre and tours of the working brewery

For further information on leisure and tourism in Lancaster and surrounding areas go to: www.visitlancashire.com Places of Worship

Places Of Worship Address

Grace Baptist Church

www.freegracelancaster.co.uk

Lune Street, Lancaster, LA1 2AJ

01524 841 133

Lancaster Free Methodist Church

www.lfmc.co.uk

Queen Street, Lancaster, LA1 1RX

01524 841 941

Lancaster Priory

lancasterpriory.org

Priory Vicarage, Priory Close, Lancaster LA1 1XB

01524 632 00

Lancaster Islamic Society

www.lancasterislamicsociety.co.uk

Fenton Street, Lancaster, LA1 1TE

01524 641 31

Shopping

The cobbled streets of Lancaster city centre are lined with stone houses which house an array shops, bars and restaurants. Market Gate shopping centre is located in the heart of the city centre and has its own short-stay car park with 110+ spaces; shops include a number of high-street retailers, independent stores and eateries; visit www.marketgatelancaster.co.uk for further information. St Nicholas Arcades provide a further range of places to shop, eat and drink; their website is www.stnicholasarcades.co.uk. Charter Market, a traditional outdoor marketplace for local produce and other goods, is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Lancaster city centre. The city is served by major supermarket chains Sainsbury’s and ASDA, in addition to smaller convenience stores.

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Local Services

Emergency Telephone Number – 999 - Fire, Police & Ambulance

In the UK, each district has its own Fire, Police and Ambulance services, and they are linked to the major hospitals in the area. 999 calls are free of charge from any telephone including public pay phones. In an emergency, you should call 999. You will be asked which of the emergency services you require. You will be asked to give precise details of your location, and the nature of the emergency. You should call 999 in the event of:

• Uncontrolled fire (i.e. in a building, or even outdoor landscape) – Call 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade

• Unconscious person or serious accident – Call 999 and ask for an Ambulance

• Serious criminal activity – Call 999 and ask for the Police Please note that if you call the emergency services unnecessarily, this may delay their response to another, genuine call; you may be liable for a call out charge and even be prosecuted. Non-Emergency Number – Police – 101

This number is to be used to contact the police for incidents that do not require an urgent response, such as reporting suspicious activity, disturbances or minor criminal damage. By dialling 101, you will be put through to your local police station. Lancashire Constabulary covers the Lancaster area: www.lancashire.police.uk Lancaster Police Station Thurnham Street Lancaster LA1 1YB Tel: 01524 596649

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Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is a community-initiated scheme which is supported by the police. Their objective is to increase vigilance and identify suspicious activity within local residential areas, and communicate effectively with the relevant authorities. The nature of each scheme varies, with some organisers hosting regular meetings with members and issuing anti-theft devices such as security marker pens and alarms. Many insurance companies for household goods offer reduced insurance rates for properties within a Neighbourhood Watch area, as their statistical crime rates are minimal. To find out more about Neighbourhood Watch schemes in your area, visit the following website: www.ourwatch.org.uk. Other Local Services

Here are a few examples of other facilities in the area, as well as local branches of nationwide services:

Local Services Address

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

www.northlancashirecab.org.uk

87 King Street, Lancaster, LA1 1RH

03444 889 622 (General advice for the North

Lancashire area)

Jobcentre Plus

www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus

Mitre House, Church Street, Lancaster, LA1 1JW

0845 604 3719

Post Office

www.royalmail.com

85 Market Street, Town Centre, Lancaster, LA1

1AA

01524 384 100

Lancaster Central Library

www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries

Market Square, Lancaster, LA1 1HY

03001 236 703

Visitor Information Centre

www.visitlancashire.com/explore/lancaster

The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1

1TH

01524 582 394

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Schools State, or ‘maintained’, schools are government-funded schools where a free education is available. The criteria for enrolling your child in a state school is usually determined by the catchment area, therefore choice of school will be restricted to where you live. Private, also known as ‘public’ or ‘independent’, schools offer the freedom of entrants from any location, subject to tuition fees. Some private schools look for a high level of academic ability when assessing applicants, others specialise in educating pupils who have a particular talent in one discipline such as music or sport. Typical state-school structure for England: Typical age (years) Academic Year Curriculum Nursery 3-4 - Foundation Stage 1

Primary Education

4-5 Reception Foundation Stage 2 5-6 Year 1

Key Stage 1 6-7 Year 2 7-8 Year 3

Key Stage 2 8-9 Year 4 9-10 Year 5 10-11 Year 6

Secondary Education

11-12 Year 7 Key Stage 3 12-13 Year 8

13-14 Year 9 14-15 Year 10

Key Stage 4 15-16 Year 11

Further Education

16-17 Year 12 Various options 17-18 Year 13

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Here are just some of the nurseries, schools and colleges in the Lancaster area:

Nursery Schools Address Lancaster University Pre-school Centre

www.lancaster-preschoolcentre.co.uk

Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster,

LA1 4YW

01524 594 464

Brookdale Day Nursery Ltd

www.brookdaledaynursery.co.uk

Hala Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA1 4QJ

01524 647 40

Busy Bees Childcare Ltd

www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/lancaster

Ovangle Road, Lancaster, LA1 5JR

01524 845 245

Mucky Pups Pre-school

www.muckypupspreschool.com

c/o Lancaster Boys & Girls Club, Dallas

Road, Lancaster, LA1 1TP

01524 849 106

Nippers Day Nursery Ltd

www.nippersnurseries.co.uk

Lune Park Children’s Centre, Ryelands

Park, Lancaster, LA1 2LN

01524 844 441

Appletree Nursery School

www.appletreechildrenscentre.co.uk

Milking Stile Lane, Lancaster, LA1 5QB

01524 641 32

Infant, Junior & Primary Schools Address Dallas Road Community Primary School www.dallasroad.lancs.sch.uk

High Street, Lancaster, LA1 1LD

01524 645 20

Ridge Community Primary School

www.ridge.lancsngfl.ac.uk

Keswick Road, Lancaster, LA1 3LE

01524 678 80

Cathedral Catholic Primary School

www.cathedral.lancs.sch.uk

Balmoral Road, Lancaster, LA1 3BT

01524 646 86

Willow Lane Community Primary School

www.willow.lancs.sch.uk

Willow Lane, Lancaster, LA1 5PR

01524 658 80

Moorside Primary School

www.moorside-pri.lancs.sch.uk

Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 4HT

01524 665 16

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Infant, Junior & Primary Schools Address St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary school

www.st-bernadettes.org.uk/school

Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 4HT

01524 639 34

Secondary Schools & Colleges Address Lancaster Royal Grammar School (boys)

www.lrgs.org.uk East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EF

01524 580 600

Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School www.lggs.org.uk

Regent Street, Lancaster, LA1 1SF

01524 581 661

Ripley St Thomas C Of E High School

www.ripley.lancsngfl.ac.uk

Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA1 4RS

01524 644 96

Central Lancaster High School

www.lancasterhigh.lancs.sch.uk

Crag Road, Lancaster, LA1 3LS

01524 326 36

Lancaster and Morecambe College

www.lmc.ac.uk

Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

01524 662 15

Our Lady’s Catholic College Lancaster

www.olccbuild.co.uk

Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2RX

01524 66689

Special Education Needs

Some pupils with learning difficulties, disabilities or behavioural problems may adapt well to education within a mainstream school with the aid of learning support, and most schools facilitate this. However, depending on the needs of the individual, he/she may be required to attend a special school to assist with development. Some special schools accept entrants of a specific disability only, with others catering for a wider range of needs. Special Needs Schools Address The Loyne Specialist School

www.loyneschool.org.uk

Sefton Drive, Lancaster, LA1 2PZ

01524 645 43

Morecambe Road School

www.morecambe.lancsngfl.ac.uk

Morecambe Road, Morecambe, LA3 3AB

01524 414 384

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Special Needs Schools Address Beaumont College

www.beaumontcollege.ac.uk

Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6AP

01524 541 400

Wennington Hall School

www.wenningtonhall.lancs.sch.uk

Lodge Lane, Wennington, Lancaster, LA2 8NS

01524 221 333

Further Information

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) is the non-ministerial government department which is responsible for regulating schools and childcare services in England. For an Ofsted report on any of the schools listed above, visit the Ofsted website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk. For further information on state-funded schools, visit the government website at www.gov.uk/browse/education. For further information about independent schools, refer to the Independent Schools Council website: www.isc.co.uk/schools. For an online directory of all schools in your area, visit www.schools-search.co.uk. Healthcare Facilities

Britain has a government funded National Health Service (NHS), and this service is available to visitors of non-permanent residency in the UK on an emergency basis. If you are a relocating to the UK for work purposes you may be entitled to NHS provisions following your registration for a National Insurance Number, however restrictions may still apply to your family. Alternatively, you may wish to pay for a private healthcare plan, available from various independent healthcare companies; research into the benefits of this is recommended.

Doctors

It is advisable, once you have settled in your new home, to register with a local Doctor/General Practitioner, or GP. Doctors’ surgeries in the UK are generally NHS rather than private. To register, you will usually be required to fill out a form from the practice reception. Once registered with a GP, you will receive an NHS Patient Number; this number will remain the same even if you re-register at another practice.

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Appointments to see your GP are free of charge, and should always be made in advance by ringing the Doctor’s surgery. However, should the Doctor prescribe you medication which must be obtained from a chemist or pharmacy, then there is a standard charge, which is subject to increase on an annual basis.

Doctors/General Practitioners Address Queen Square Medical Practice

www.queensquare.org

2 Queen Square, Lancaster, LA1 1RP

01524 843 333

Meadowside Medical Practice

www.meadowsidepractice.nhs.uk

1-3 Meadowside, Lancaster, LA1 3AQ

01524 326 22

The Dalton Square Practice

www.daltonsquare.co.uk

8 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PN

01524 842 200

Rosebank Medical Practice

www.rosebankmedical.org.uk

Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA1 4JS

01524 842 284

The King Street & University

Medical Practice

www.kingstandunipractice.co.uk

King Street Surgery, 38 King Street, Lancaster,

LA1 1RE

01524 541 651

University Medical Practice, University of

Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 4ZP

01524 387 780

Hospitals

All major cities will have adequate sources of medical care, proportionate to the size of the local population. Each town usually has at least one hospital with emergency facilities, known as the Casualty Department/Accident and Emergency. The term “out-patient” refers to someone who will be treated and released on the same day. An “in-patient” refers to someone who will be staying overnight or longer for treatment or care.

If you require non-urgent medical attention out of doctors’ surgery hours, you may be able to visit your local NHS walk-in-centre, details of which may be found on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk. Alternatively, you could call the NHS on 111; this service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

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In case of accident or emergency, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the hospital facilities in your local area. You may also wish to consider whether you wish to register for private healthcare, costs of which vary, and research into the benefits of private treatment is recommended. Cover can be obtained through the University’s flexible benefits package. Hospitals/Accident & Emergency Address Royal Lancaster Infirmary

www.uhmb.nhs.uk/hospitals/royal-lancaster-infirmary/

Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA1 4RP

01524 659 44

The Lancaster Hospital

www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/lancaster

Meadowside, Lancaster, LA1 3RH

01524 62345

Dentists

Dental surgery is available on the NHS, however, unlike hospital treatment and visits to the doctor, fees for check ups and dentistry work apply to most; exceptions include children, students and those who claim benefits due to being unable to work. Dentists’ surgeries may have a limit on the number of NHS patients registered at any one time, and each will be limited to a certain catchment area, therefore finding NHS dental treatment in your area may be challenging. Some dental surgeries now cater for both NHS and private patients; fees for private treatment, which is of a better standard, will be higher than NHS. Dental Practices Address

Your Dentist (private)

www.yourdentistlancaster.co.uk

Church Street, Lancaster, LA1 1ET

01524 841 196

Brock Street Dental Practice

(private & NHS)

www.brockstreetdentalpractice.co.uk

8 Brock Street, Town Centre,

Lancaster, LA1 1UU

01524 373 24

Mydentist (NHS)

www.mydentist.co.uk/dentists/practices/

3 Meeting House Lane, Lancaster,

LA1 1TJ

01524 332 25

Marketgate Dental Practice (private & NHS)

www.dentist4lancaster.co.uk

1 Marketgate, Lancaster, LA1 1JF

01524 326 30

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Vets

Veterinary Practices Address Lancaster Veterinary Centre

www.lancastervets.co.uk

195 Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 4HT

01524 840 033

Dimples Veterinary Practice

lanesvets.com

Units 4-5, Lake Enterprise Court, Ladies

Walk, Caton Road, Lancaster, LA1 3NX

01524 67777

Bay Vets Ltd

www.bayvets.co.uk

Baldrand House, Bowerham Road, Lancaster,

LA1 3AJ

01524 326 96

Recycling

For the Lancaster area, your local council will provide you with the following receptacles for domestic waste:

• Grey wheelie bin: general non-recyclable waste • Grey kitchen caddy: food waste, tea bags, coffee grounds (to be

deposited in green wheelie bin) • Green wheelie bin: food waste, tea bags, coffee grounds, garden waste,

bedding from small pets • Green box 1: plastic bottles, food tins and drinks cans, clean foil, glass

bottles and jars, aerosols, sweet/biscuit tins • Green box 2: newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, envelopes

(no need to remove the windows), cardboard, catalogues, telephone directories and shredded paper

Certain textiles for recycling can be put out in appropriately labelled carrier bags (not black bags) alongside your recycling boxes.

Further information, including collection days, can be found on the website of Lancaster City Council: www.lancaster.gov.uk.

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Estate Agents

When looking for the right property in your new location, there are variables to consider such as:-

• Whether you wish to rent or buy • Size requirements • Your preferred style of home, such as “new build”, modern or rural • Your budget • The type of property (terraced, detached, etc) • The type of amenities you wish to be close to

Once you have decided on these factors, you may wish to contact an estate agent in your new area to assist you with your search:

Estate Agents Address JD Gallagher (sales & lettings)

www.jdg.co.uk

58 Market Street, Lancaster, LA1 1HS

01524 843 322

R&B Estate Agents (sales & lettings)

www.rbestates.co.uk

Castle Chambers, 60 Market Street,

Lancaster, LA1 1HP

01524 844 111

Fisher Wrathall (sales & lettings)

www.fisherwrathall.co.uk

The Old Warehouse, Castle Hill, Lancaster,

LA1 1YP

01524 688 22

Farrell Heyworth (sales & lettings)

www.farrellheyworth.co.uk

53A Market Street, Lancaster, LA1 1JG

01524 842 222

Entwistle Green (sales & lettings)

www.entwistlegreen.co.uk

67-71 Market Street, Lancaster, LA1 1JG

01524 892 021

Fine & Country (sales & lettings)

www.fineandcountry.com/uk/Lancaster

19 Castle Hill, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

01524 380 560

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Council Tax

Council Tax is the system of local taxation used to part fund the services provided by your local council, such as emergency services and waste collection. There is an annual charge, set in accordance to where you live and the value of the property you rent or own.

Valuation Band Range of Property Values (as of 1 April 1991) A Up to and including £40,000 B £40,001 to £52,000 C £52,001 to £68,000 D £68,001 to £88,000 E £88,001 to £120,000 F £120,001 to £160,000 G £160,001 to £320,000 H More than £320,001

Lancaster Council Tax charges for 2015-16 are as follows for the above valuation bands:

Valuation Band Annual Council Tax Payable (2015/16) A £1,038.45 B £1,211.52 C £1,384.60 D £1,557.67 E £1,903.82 F £2,249.96 G £2,596.12 H £3,115.34 Properties

Recommended places to look for properties are on specialist websites such as:

www.rightmove.co.uk www.zoopla.co.uk Local newspapers, which may also be helpful resources for property listings, for the Lancaster area are:

• The Lancaster Guardian – website: www.lancasterguardian.co.uk • The Visitor – website: www.thevisitor.co.uk

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Buying a Property

There are many options when seeking independent mortgage advice, although not all options are free. You can visit any high street lender who will advise you on their current mortgage products, or you could visit a Mortgage Consultant who will have access to hundreds of products and lenders. It is a good idea to meet with your mortgage adviser before viewing any properties, as this will help you limit your search to properties within your budget. It is recommended to avoid making offers on a new home before accepting an offer on your existing property. Here are a few points to consider when making an offer:

• The ‘asking price’ is the amount of which the seller is expecting to receive for the property – not necessarily its market value or its worth to you.

• Is the asking price fair in relation to other similar properties, in the area, of the same condition? Do your research into the sale price of properties that have previously been sold in that area. Websites such as www.houseprices.co.uk and www.nethouseprices.com may help.

• Will you need to make any immediate repairs or renovations? Take this into consideration when making your offer.

Avoid exchanging contracts on your new home until you have exchanged contracts on your existing property. To exchange contracts you need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer who will carry out the legal work involved. Once you have exchanged contracts there is no going back, if the process falls through after exchange you will lose your deposit. All parties will be legally committed to completing the sale. Backing out may incur legal action as well as high costs. Therefore, before exchanging make sure your mortgage is confirmed, you have the deposit, you have buildings insurance in place and you are happy with the contract. The date for completion is normally set at the time of exchanging contracts. It is possible, but rare, to exchange and complete on the same day. Average Property Sale Prices (September 2015):

1 bedroom 2 bedroom 3 bedroom 4 bedroom 5 bedroom

LANCASTER £94,178 £125,299 £179,556 £328,275 £386,197

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Renting a Property

Rent is often negotiable depending on the supply and demand situation at the time of looking. Most leases are for a minimum period of six months or one year. It is recommended that you view a rental property before deciding to proceed with a lease. Before you move in, the following needs to be agreed between you, the estate/letting agent and the landlord/landlady:

• The amount of rent to be paid per week or month • The start date of the tenancy – usually a weekday • Additional requirements – for example you may want one of the bedrooms

redecorated or curtains to be removed etc. Details will be stipulated in the form of a tenancy agreement. If the agreement is through an estate/letting agent, administration fees usually apply. The tenancy agreement is a legal binding document that you - the tenant - and the landlord sign; you will sign identical but separate agreements in most cases. The agreement sets out the terms under which the tenancy will proceed and your obligations to the landlord and the landlord’s obligations to you. Prior to moving in you will be asked to pay a security deposit (normally the equivalent to 4 or 6 weeks’ rent), which will be returned at the end of the letting period less any deductions for damages or replacement items. Once you are happy with the terms, the next step is to accept. Although your offer may have been accepted, it is not legally binding until both parties have signed the contract. Upon taking up residency of a property, an inventory check-in will be organised for you. This is to record the condition of the property and its contents when you move in. This will be attended by an independent clerk. Average Property Rental Prices (September 2015) Per Calendar Month:

1 bedroom 2 bedroom 3 bedroom 4 bedroom 5 bedroom

LANCASTER £483 £572 £607 £889 RARE

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Typical Lancaster Properties:

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