RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

10 amazing reasons to live and work in Peterborough

23rd September 2015 Print

You might not realise that Peterborough is a city on the up, with a thriving economy and nightlife. Don’t believe us? Here are ten facts that might change your mind:

Exciting companies

Peterborough is a thriving city – earlier this year it ranked second in the country for job growth from cities that have more than doubled employment. Outsiders might perhaps assume that the big guns in Cambridgeshire are centred in Cambridge itself, but Peterborough boasts its fair share too – like The BGL Group - who according to the last Cambridgeshire Limited 2014 report is the fifth biggest firm in the county. For more information on careers with BGL and Comparethemarket.com, click here."

Burgeoning restaurant scene

The city centre has added some top names to its list of eating locations. Bills and Handmade Burger Company recently joined Nando’s, Carluccio’s, Chimichanga and Wildwood, as well as excellent independents such as Michelin Guide-listed Clarkes, and East, above the renowned Charter’s Bar barge.

Landmarks and culture

The splendid Peterborough Cathedral is rapidly approaching its 900th birthday, and nearby is Peterborough Museum, home to impressive ichthyosaur and plesiosaur skeletons and the incredibly ornate Norman Cross collection of bone ornaments carved by prisoners during the Napoleonic War. 

Queensgate

Opened in 1982, the city’s shopping centre is probably due a makeover, but if ambitious plans come to fruition a new £30m redevelopment will see all the gaps in the retail roster filled. The Peterborough Telegraph reported that the new scheme would see a 77,000 sq ft extension housing a multi-screen digital cinema, seven restaurants and a number of new stores.

The Fens and its towns and villages

For quiet, idyllic beauty little can match The Fens and The Wash, which are nature lovers’ dreams. Picturesque Stamford is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in Britain (even the toilet blocks are grade II listed), and other beautiful little spots such as The Deepings, Castor, and Uffington are well worth a visit.

Football Club

For excitement and end-of-season heart palpitations, few teams can actually match the Posh. In 6 of the past 11 seasons the club has either been relegated or promoted, as well as visiting Wembley when winning the Johnston Paint Trophy. The London Road club has a reputation for giving young players a chance, endorsed by flamboyant owner Darragh MacAnthony.

Green space

It’s rare for a city to boast the quantity of green space so close to its centre as Peterborough. The Embankment is a leafy lovely walk along the Nene, Ferry Meadows country park is a wonderful family venue of lakes, meadows and woodland, and Central Park holds a prestigious environmental Green Flag Award. 

Events

Thousands come from across the UK and Europe for Peterborough Beer Festival, which – at 350 real ales and five days – is one of the biggest events of its kind. Other massive events in the Peterborough calendar include Willow Festival (three days, 170 musical acts) in July, the Italian Festival in September, and the Great Eastern Run half marathon in October.

Links to rest of country

The city’s recently redeveloped railway station is about 50 minutes from London King’s Cross and St Pancras International, or two-and-a-half hours from Newcastle and four from Edinburgh. The city sits in the A1 (M) should you prefer driving, while Leicester, Coventry and Northampton are all less than 90 minutes away.

House prices

The average cost of a UK house is £195k according to the latest Nationwide building society figures reported in The Guardian – an eye-watering value for first time buyers and young professionals. The price for Peterborough varies depending on which figures you believe; according to home.co.uk the average asking price is £191,228, while the Peterborough Property Blog suggests £185,100 – either way, it’s a lower value than the national average.