‘Britain’s worst city’ ruined by feral yobs and dated high street set for £269m makeover_t

A major UK city often slammed as Britain’s “worst” is launching a surprising £269million fightback to transform its fortunes. Peterborough is the fifth-fastest-growing city in the country, but has frequently been ranked plum last in UK league tables as locals bitterly complain about a dated high street and yobs running riot.

Losing its flagship John Lewis and M&S stores, in 2021 and 2024 respectively, was seen as a body blow for its high street – but its defenders say the derogatory league tables are a deeply unfair reflection of an area on the up. Now the Cambridgeshire city, hailed for its easy access to London via the A1 and the East Coast Main Line, is pumping £65million into its flagship Station Quarter to create a vibrant entrance point for visitors. When finished by the end of 2028, there will be a new western entrance to the railway station, which also runs fast trains to Edinburgh, and a redesigned Station Square.

There will also be a new pedestrian and cycle route to the city centre, and a new multistorey car park.

In addition, work has started on the new £8.3million Cygnet Bridge, to connect the centre of Peterborough to the city’s football stadium, its university, the Embankment, and the Fletton Quays area.

A new £36million leisure centre and swimming pool, along with a proposed youth zone, are being built as part of the Embankment Programme, while the Government also selected Peterborough for up to £40million Pride in Place funding to regenerate the city.

The cash will be split between the Orton Malborne, Orton Goldhay, Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland areas.

The Government also gave Peterborough £13milllion from its Towns Fund to The Vine Project, which will be used to refurbish Central Library and create space for new business start-ups.

And to top it all off, Amazon is opening a £107million distribution centre in Flaxley Road, next to an existing site it already owns, in September – creating 1,400 new jobs.

In total, the major cash injections mean £269.3million will be pumped into the city that is famous for its 900-year-old cathedral.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “Despite a tough economic outlook, we are getting investment into the city, and that will help put money back into people’s wallets and purses.

“We’ve certainly got some challenges as a city that is seeking to rebuild itself. Sadly, we’re not going to be able to turn the clock back to before the days of internet shopping, and we’re not going to bring John Lewis back. But we’ve got a huge amount going for us.

“When you think about the assets we’ve got, sometimes Peterborough’s biggest challenge is we don’t know how to work together and pull in the same direction. We’re trying to usher in a new era of collaboration and partnership with the city, so that we can show off our best side to the world.

“We’re very much an underrated city. What we need is a bit of swagger.”

He also highlighted that National Gas is making a huge investment in its Werrington site.

The money comes on top of an £80million investment in Queensgate Shopping Centre in recent years, with new stores including Frasers, Sports Direct, and ODEON Luxe.

It has enabled Queensgate, opened in 1982, to bounce back after the devastating loss of John Lewis and M&S.

Catherine Lambert, Queensgate centre director, said: “Peterborough is one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities and ranks among the top-performing areas for new business growth.

“It’s incredibly well-connected, with direct rail links to London and easy access to major transport routes. The city also offers an exceptional mix of heritage, culture, sport and leisure.

“There is a real sense of momentum in Peterborough, and that’s something we’re proud to be part of.”