Positivity for Peterborough

Cranes. Not necessarily the most beautiful sight, but a sight that indicates investment and the creation of opportunity, nonetheless. On Northminster, the former City market, you can see works underway to deliver the proposed scheme of over 300 apartments. The development provides apartments with terraces and views of the Cathedral, two and three bedroom townhouses, two commercial units (intended for restaurant/bar operators with indoor and outdoor seating), upgrades to public realm, car parking and cycling bays.

Over the other side of the Cathedral, the architecturally inspiring A.R.U. Peterborough University is filling up with students. Purpose-built and boasting industry standard facilities, this is a huge asset for Peterborough. The speculatively built Research & Innovation Centre nextdoor is also nearing completion.

Connecting the University campus to Fletton Quays will be a new footbridge. With designs underway, it will link the Embankment to the fantastic new mixed use development on the South Bank of the River Nene. The proposed new pedestrian footbridge will offer pedestrians and cyclists an alternative route across the river, away from the busy main road.

Across the footbridge into the heart of a much wider regeneration project, Fletton Quays, offices and cafes have been created from a former Victorian railway building housing two locomotive sheds. 450 apartments have front row seats on the bank of the River Nene, along with a sympathetically designed multi-storey car park. The Hilton Garden Inn hotel with its beautifully styled rooms is now taking bookings for Mid-2023. The eagerly anticipated ‘LRV8 Sky Bar’ with panoramic views and the promise of two on-site restaurants, it will bring a part of Peterborough’s once busy waterfront, back to life.

The food scene in Peterborough has also seen a boost. The arrival of Franco Manca, Las Iguanas and Kokoro join an already existing popular line up: Cote, Five Guys, Prezzo, Wildwood, Pizza Express, Nando’s and Wagamama, on Cathedral Square. Duck into Queensgate and the refurbishment works have also started to bring in footfall to Puttstars mini golf and their ‘puttastic diner’. Up on Broadway, next to the New Theatre, is the talk of the town, Katana. Entertaining Tepanaki chefs, literally setting your meal on fire. Thankfully though, they also serve up quenching cocktails to take the edge off.

With the draw of all these fantastic additions to the city, now for the welcome it deserves - the new Station Quarter. Peterborough has been awarded £48 million for the station upgrade. This will rebuild the train station to reflect the connectivity hub that it is, whilst creating a Station Quarter to provide the appropriate gateway to our city and surrounding area.

So, if you see the cranes, hopefully now you can see them as a portent for prosperity!