Firms to help raise city literacy levels

Businesses in Peterborough are being urged to pledge their support to tackling low literacy in the city. Firms are needed to signup to the National Literacy Trust’s Local Business Promise for Peterborough.

The promise will be launched at a business breakfast at the Allia Future Business Centre, Peterborough United Football Club, London Road on July 4 at 830am.

The event will feature speakers Julia Cleverdon, the trust’s chair, and the charity’s director, Jonathan Douglas, with Gillian Beasley, chief executive of Peterborough City Council and Ben Fletcher, managing director of Boots Opticians.

Staff from the Peterborough branches of Boots Opticians are taking part in a partnership with the trust to highlight the link between eye health and literacy.

Each employee has been given two days a year to volunteer in local schools. The Queensgate Centre branch in Peterborough has also created a reading area for families in its waiting room.

Sally Atkinson, manager of the National Literacy Trust Hub, in Peterborough, said: “Businesses have a crucial role to play in raising literacy levels in our city and by making a Local Business Promise for Peterborough, companies will help to increase the city’s economic competitiveness and social mobility.

Dave Webb, manager of Boots Opticians in Peterborough, said: “Our partnership with the National Literacy Trust Hub in Peterborough provides opportunities for us to share our love of books and is proving to be a wonderful experience for our staff and customers.”

Staff at Peterborough’s Boots Opticians are working to raise literacy levels in the city.