Motion calls for city's Guildhall to be revived

Metal fencing around Peterborough's Guildhall has been described as an "eyesore"

A motion is calling for a city's 17th Century Guildhall to be brought back to life after "eyesore" metal fencing is still there a year later.

Conservative councillor John Howard, who put forward the motion, said a survey was carried out by Peterborough City Council in March 2024 to gauge views on the use of Cathedral Square and its Grade II* listed Guildhall.

"It is to ensure this feedback is acted on — 20 months is an unacceptable period not to act on the city's two important spaces," said Howard.

The Labour-led council put up temporary fencing around the Guildhall at the end of last year to stop vandalism and people climbing its staircase.

The Guildhall, on Cathedral Square next to the Queensgate shopping centre, dates from about 1671

The survey was carried out when the council was led by the Peterborough First group.

Previously, Toby Wood, vice-chairman of Peterborough Civic Society, said: "It spoils the look... makes it look run down even."

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer for the Peterborough Positive business improved district group, has said: "I got lots of feedback from business that it [the fencing] is an eyesore."

Last month, the council said it would be "carrying out specialised works to help preserve the building", but no work timelines had been confirmed.

Howard, ward councillor for Hampton & Hempsted, said: "All we have seen is the Guildhall be increasingly fenced off, and my hope is this motion drives action.

"It calls on the council to submit a plan for both Cathedral Square and the Guildhall, based on the original feedback from March 2024, and liaising with civic stakeholders such as Peterborough Positive, the cathedral and the Civic Society to bring forward a vision.

"It then calls on council to liaise with our [Cambridgeshire & Peterborough] Combined Authority Mayor Paul Bristow and our two MPs to support any funding initiatives to help bring the vision to life."

He added that the council report "should go to the appropriate scrutiny within 12 months detailing the vision and update on the funding progress to ensure this project isn't put to the back of the shelf again".

The motion will be put to the full council meeting on Wednesday, which starts at 18:00 BST.

A survey was carried out seeking feedback on future uses of Cathedral Square and the Guildhall