Critical time for our city centre

There are some major challenges for city centres as the face of retailing changes and Peterborough is not immune. This week we have spoken to Paul Clement, who is the chief executive of place-shaping experts Locus, the organisation that will be helping the city’s BID team spend the £1.8m raised from local businesses. Peterborough has a number of transformational projects in the pipeline, from the new university to the regeneration of the former TK Maxx site. This week work started on a huge new flats development in Northminster - the first step in the redevelopment of that area of the city. John Lewis may have quit Queensgate but a new cinema complex should bring more footfall and new life to that part of the city. How the money is spent alongside the progress of the major developments will go a long way to determining the future of Peterborough’s city centre. Festivals, special events along with new and creative ways to attract people into the city will need to be developed. Consultation and debate is crucial - people must have a say on how their city develops. But the opportunity for the city is there. Peterborough has fared reasonably well in economic terms in comparison with many of its peers. Having the chance to redevelop key areas, create jobs and welcome a new student population will be a big boost. As the city council is forced to cut back drastically on its cultural offering there is also the opportunity for the BID team to ensure that Peterborough’s cultural calendar can have some events to help traders attract visitors. This is against the backdrop of a fragile post pandemic economy, a cash-strapped city council and desperately tough times for many facing a rapidly rising cost of living. The opportunity is there but taking it has become more important than ever for the city.