Local elections 2024: What next for the city centre?

Marks & Spencer and John Lewis have closed city centre branches

Voters will be taking part in the Peterborough City Council elections on 2 May.

The election comes amid concern about the city centre.

Marks & Spencer recently announced it was closing its store in the Queensgate Shopping Centre. John Lewis pulled out three years ago.

The city market was demolished in 2022 as part of the Northminster regeneration project. Only a portion of the traders were moved to Bridge Street.

There is positive news. There are plans for a cinema in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, and The Fraser Group announced it would open a Sports Direct in the former John Lewis store by 2025.

Just over a third of seats are up for grabs at the unitary council which has been led by the Peterborough First group since November, but no single party has a majority of seats.

How do local party leaders hope to get the shoppers back?

Nicola Day supports the idea of a market for Cathedral Square

Nicola Day, Green Party leader, said: "We need to focus more strategically on our town planning to ensure our city centre is considered a 'go to' destination.

"One model that is both unique and successful is the 'Up The Garden Bath - Unity Shop', which offers arts and crafts from independent makers and artists. The Green Party would like to see more such businesses attracted to the centre.

"Unfortunately, I don't think the current food market offer goes anywhere near the variety of what was on offer previously. Could we have a Cathedral Square market now that the fountains have been turned off?"

Mohammed Farooq became leader of the council last year after defections from the Conservative group

Mohammed Farooq, leader of the Peterborough First group of Independents, said the city centre would always play a "crucial role in the city's prosperity.”

“As the leader of the council, I have already started a feasibility study and business case for the regeneration of the Guildhall and Cathedral Square. I would like to see a market area with seating areas placed strategically among flower beds.”

Wayne Fitzgerald was council leader until last year

Wayne Fitzgerald, leader of the Conservative group, said the city must "adapt and change" as online shopping had “weakened” high streets everywhere.

“We need stricter enforcement to curb a noticeable rise in anti-social behaviour, such as aggressive street begging.

“We should also invest more to keep on top of the city centre cleaning regime.

"Peterborough is still a growing city and the government investment the Conservatives have secured over the last two years has been phenomenal.”

Christian Hogg had high hopes for the new names moving into the former John Lewis in Queensgate

Christian Hogg, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said he hoped the cinema and The Fraser Group would “inject some life back into the high street”.

He said: “The closure of the city market was deeply regrettable and whilst the stallholders that moved to Bridge Street have a great offering, it is hugely scaled back from the Northminster site.

“The various guest markets that we have throughout the year are immensely welcome, and we should look to implement something more regular, like a monthly farmers' market.”

Dennis Jones says the city needs to "stop thinking as a market town"

Dennis Jones, leader of the Labour group, said, his vision is to “create a café culture” in the city centre.

”Forget discussion about congestion charges, let’s talk about how we get people in to the city. We will work with local traders to have proper stalls and proper places to shop.

“Market traders have told me they don’t feel they are in the market or the food court for the long term. We’ve got to stop thinking as a market town and think bigger.”