Five Peterborough stories you might have missed

Pupils, including those from Jack Hunt School, received their A-Level results this week

There were concerns about the future of a city centre community shop, while sixth-form pupils celebrated their exam results.

Here are five stories you might have missed this week in Peterborough.

Community group says tax hike puts future in doubt

Founder Dave Poulton called for the council to be "compassionate" towards the project

Up The Garden Bath has hit back at Peterborough City Council for demanding it pay the full business rates on its city centre shop.

The community interest company (CIC) opened its shop Unity in Queensgate Shopping Centre, selling products on behalf of small businesses.

The council said that because Unity was "predominantly retail in nature", it needed to pay the full amount.

'Buzzing': Pupils delighted with A-level results

Isaac from Jacks Hunt School will learn accountancy in Cambridge

Pupils in Peterborough received their A-level, T-level, BTEC Nationals and Level 3 qualification results this week.

Husna, from Jack Hunt School in Peterborough, said opening the envelope was "nerve-wracking" but she was "glad it is over". After receiving A*, A and B grades, she will be heading to the University of Nottingham.

Fellow Jack Hunt pupil Isaac will begin an apprenticeship with an accountancy firm after receiving A, B and C grades, while Ollie from Ormiston Bushfield Academy will study biology at the University of Oxford after receiving three As.

Unkempt areas make life depressing, say residents

The postbox in Hinchcliffe was inaccessible due to garden waste being flytipped around it, one resident said

Residents in an area of the city said constant flytipping and unmaintained pathways were making life "difficult and depressing".

Sue Arnold, who lives in Hinchcliffe in the Ortons area of Peterborough, described the neighbourhood as "neglected" and called for the city council to show "respect to residents".

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "Officers will be carrying out a site visit to Hinchcliffe shortly to assess the issues with a view to carrying out any necessary repairs."

New £84,000 skate ramp opens for young people

Councillor Mark Ormston thanked everyone involved in the project, which had been in the works for more than a decade

A new £84,000 skate ramp has been officially opened.

The new facility next to Fernie Close in Newborough, Peterborough, was approved by Peterborough City Council in 2023, despite objections regarding noise and anti-social behaviour.

'Peaceful' garden opens for critical care staff

An unused courtyard next to the critical care unit has been turned into the staff garden, which includes a gazebo

A newly-opened garden at a city hospital is offering much-needed respite for critical care staff.

The calming space, at Peterborough City Hospital, was first proposed during the pandemic by sister Ros Rippon, who recognised the need for an outdoor area where staff could relax from the pressures of frontline care. Construction began this year.

Staff have described it as "peaceful" and "beautiful".

The week in politics

Residents expressed frustration with flytipping in Eye, Thorney and Newborough

Residents frustrated with fly-tipping blighting their village called for a dedicated hotline to report the crime.

At a meeting with Peterborough City Council officers on Thursday, people living in and around Eye, Thorney, and Newborough demanded stronger deterrents, tougher fines and faster action to deal with the issue.

Meanwhile, people in a city said they were "very sad" at the loss of a second budget retailer from a shopping area.

Poundland has occupied a unit in the Ortongate Shopping Centre in Peterborough since 2023, after the space was left empty by Wilko.

The store will close on 24 August under restructuring plans.

Plans have also been submitted to turn an empty warehouse into a new padel centre.

The planning application, submitted by Smash Haus Padel Ltd, would see four padel courts built in a warehouse in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, which was previously used to store medical equipment.

The week in sport

Peterborough United crashed out of the EFL Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

Posh conceded in the opening 40 seconds and were 2-0 down after 25 minutes.

Archie Collins scored late on in the second half but Darren Ferguson's side were unable to find an equaliser.