Hello, Spotlight crew

October’s settling in and Peterborough’s already buzzing louder than a pumpkin-spiced latte machine at Starbucks.

Last week we teased you with apple bashes and café secrets (we’ll get there), but first we’ve got some seriously electrifying news.

Literally. ⚡️

EV Chargers Funding

Peterborough’s about to get juiced!

The government has confirmed an extra pot of £1.2 million for EV charging points across Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough’s set to grab a decent slice of it.

That means more fast chargers in supermarket car parks, city centre bays, and maybe even your sleepy cul-de-sac (if the council doesn’t argue about it for six months first).

Right now, the city has just over 70 public EV charging devices (source: Zap-Map) — compared to places like Milton Keynes, which boasts more than double that with a smaller population.

So, yes, we’re playing catch-up.

Local EV owners say it’s about time. Sarah J., who commutes daily from Hampton, told us:

“I’ve queued behind three Teslas outside Morrisons more times than I can count.

 If they add just a few more chargers, it’ll save me half an hour most evenings.”

Not everyone’s convinced, of course.

A local taxi driver we chatted to muttered that he’s “still sticking with diesel until the council proves it can keep one charger working for more than a week.” Ouch.

Why it matters: if Peterborough nails its charging network, it could make the city far more attractive for commuters and greener investors and you might finally convince your neighbour to stop parking his plug-in hybrid across two bays.

👉 Would you use a public EV charger in town if it meant ditching the petrol station?

Hit reply and let us know.

(And speaking of electric a quick shout-out to our friends at Green Energy Switch, helping local businesses install chargers that actually work. More on them later in a later issue 👀

Rail Strikes Back (Again)

If you felt like Peterborough Station was eerily quiet last Friday, you weren’t imagining it.

The latest round of national rail strikes brought cancellations across the East Coast Main Line, with London trains reduced to a trickle and commuters once again left clutching their meal deals on deserted platforms.

According to National Rail, around 70% of services through Peterborough were affected, with some operators halting travel altogether.

It’s part of the long-running dispute over pay and conditions, and there’s still no sign of resolution.

Local reactions? A mixed bag:

• “I had to beg my boss to let me work from home — again,” sighed Amy, a teacher from Werrington.

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• Meanwhile, Tom, a Uni student, seemed delighted: “Honestly, it gave me an excuse not to go back to Leeds. Cheers, RMT.”

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Beyond the frustration, there’s a wider question: does constant disruption push more people towards cars or even those shiny new EV chargers we just talked about?

If so, Peterborough’s congestion might be the real loser here.

What’s next? More strikes are pencilled in for late October unless talks suddenly move forward. So don’t put away that bike or car-share app just yet.

 Have rail strikes changed how you travel?

Would you pay more for reliability, or is this just the new normal?

The Waiting Game - Is The NHS On The Brink Of Collapse

If you’ve tried booking a GP appointment in Peterborough recently, chances are you’ve heard the phrase

 “next available slot is three weeks away” more times than you’d like.

 And if you’re heading to Peterborough City Hospital, you might need to bring a packed lunch, a podcast playlist, and possibly a sleeping bag.

Latest NHS England data shows over 7 million people nationally on waiting lists, with Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s figures some of the highest outside London.

Locals say it’s not just about operations – even simple blood tests or physio sessions can take months.

Residents we spoke to summed it up bluntly:

• “By the time I got my appointment letter, my knee had practically healed itself,” joked Martin from Dogsthorpe.

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• Meanwhile, Sharon in Hampton admitted she’s turned to private care: “It was £60, but at least I was seen in days, not months.”

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Behind the humour is a serious issue: staffing shortages, pressure on emergency care, and a system still reeling from Covid backlogs.

Local NHS leaders say they’re recruiting, but many in Peterborough feel they’re playing catch-up with no finish line in sight.

 Have you found clever hacks to get quicker treatment locally?

Or is “waiting it out” just part of life here now?

Apple of Our Eye

Move over Paris Fashion Week — the real glamour was in March’s Community Orchard, just a half-hour up the road, where locals gathered for their annual Apple Day bash.

Picture towering toffee-apple displays, a cider press working overtime, and enough crumble to make Mary Berry weep with joy.

One visitor summed it up best: “I came for the apple juice, stayed for the ceilidh dancing.” That’s Fenland priorities for you.

For Peterborough foodies, it was well worth the short trip and if you missed it, the Orchard group is already planning more autumn events with juice pressing and orchard tours.

We’ll keep you posted, because let’s face it: there’s no such thing as too much apple pie.

What’s your apple indulgence classic crumble, cheeky pint of cider, or both?

 CAMARA Beer Guide Winner , The CoalHeavers A Pub With History

Tucked away in Park Street in Woodston is a pub that’s older than half the streets around it the Coalheavers Arms, dating back to the 19th century and still pouring pints with the same no-nonsense charm.

It recently popped up in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and regulars are buzzing with pride.

Walk in on a Friday night and you’ll get a mix of regulars arguing about Posh’s midfield and newcomers snapping pictures of the retro bar sign.

 The landlord’s kept the décor simple mismatched chairs, vintage posters and focused on what matters: properly kept ales, local bands, and enough crisps to feed a small army.

One regular told us: “It’s the kind of place you bring your dad, your dog, or both and everyone feels at home.”

It’s a reminder that while shiny new bars keep popping up in Peterborough, the city’s pub culture still beats strongest in the spots that never needed a neon cocktail tree.

Got a favourite Peterborough boozer we should feature next?

Let us know we’ll happily ‘research’ it for you.

Did you know the Coalheavers was the only pub within the city to be hit by a bomb during World War II. The bomb went into the cellar but did not explode. The pub re-opened the same night.

Paws on the Pitch

While Posh were sweating it out at London Road, the real stars last weekend were four-legged.

The Ferry Meadows Fun Dog Show pulled in a crowd of wagging tails  from prize-winning poodles to a Labrador who happily stole a sausage roll mid-judging.

Organisers say it was their biggest turnout yet, with local rescue charities raising funds and plenty of proud owners showing off everything from “best trick” to “waggiest tail.”

Crowd favourite?

A spaniel named Daisy who refused to budge until her owner bribed her with cheese. Classic Peterborough perseverance.

Thinking about adding a pup to your family?

Local rescues like Woodgreen (Godmanchester), the RSPCA at Block Fen, and even Dogs Trust Snetterton  or Loughborough have plenty of tails still waiting for a forever sofa.

Station Quarter: Dream or Delay?

f you’ve walked past Peterborough Station lately, you’ll have seen glossy boards promising a £65 million Station Quarter regeneration a shiny “gateway to the city” with offices, public squares, and smoother links to the Embankment, due to kick off in 2026.

Sounds great, but locals have every right to be sceptical.

This is the same council that splashed £5 million buying the Great Northern Hotel in 2021, only to find themselves stuck with a loss making building and no clear plan.

Add in the infamous rusty barrier on Bourges Boulevard, millions earmarked for a footbridge that never seems to appear, and the stop-start Lincoln Road regeneration, and you can see why confidence is a little… dented.

We won't even mention the Hilton ... 

As one taxi driver outside the station told us: “They’ve got artist’s impressions for days, but I’ll believe it when the bulldozers turn up.”

 Another local chipped in: “Can we just get working escalators first before we build a mini Canary Wharf?”

Council leaders insist this time is different money secured, timeline set  but in a city with a long memory for costly half-finished projects, Peterborians aren’t holding their breath.

I said don't mention the £16m Hilton fiasco but lets face it this council could screw up putting up a shelf!

What do you think genuine fresh start, or another glossy promise for the scrapbook?

Housing Headaches

Peterborough is still one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, but ask anyone trying to buy or rent here and they’ll tell you it feels more like a squeeze than a boom.

Latest Rightmove data shows the average asking price for a home in Peterborough is nudging £260,000, while rents have shot past £900 a month for a modest two-bed.

One reason?

The city’s Selective Licensing scheme, which means every buy-to-let in certain wards has to be licensed with the council.

Supporters say it’s cleaned up standards and forced rogue landlords to up their game.

But the £600-plus licence fees and compliance costs don’t vanish into thin air many tenants feel they’re paying for it through higher rents.

One reader told us: “I went to view a ‘starter home’ in Hampton, and the sales rep handed me a brochure for shared ownership at £280k. I nearly choked on my coffee.”

Campaigners also point out that affordable housing targets are regularly missed, while infrastructure like GP surgeries and schools struggles to keep pace with the city’s rapid growth.

What’s your take — fair price for safer homes, or yet another reason rents are rocketing?

Burger Wars on Broadway

Move over Big Mac — Peterborough’s indie burger joints are giving the golden arches a run for their money.

On Broadway alone, you’ve now got Burger Priest, Band of Burgers, and Flamingo’s all within strolling distance, each claiming the title of the city’s juiciest meat in the city.

Locals are picking sides:

• “Burger Priest wins on price it’s my go-to after the pub,” says Jake from Millfield.

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• “Band of Burgers is Instagram gold those stacks look unreal,” insists Aisha, a uni student.

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• Meanwhile, Flamingo’s loyalists swear by the secret sauce.

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It’s more than fast food it’s a little snapshot of how Broadway’s food scene has quietly exploded, offering everything from Korean fried chicken to vegan wraps.

And unlike some flashy openings, these spots are actually pulling in the crowds.

So, Peterborough who gets your vote in the burger wars?

Or is it still all about a cheeky Greggs sausage roll for you?

Arts & Nights Out – Cresset Comeback

Bretton’s very own Cresset Theatre has quietly been smashing it this autumn, with sell-out comedy nights and a panto cast already signed and ready to cause festive chaos.

What’s remarkable is how the venue’s carved out a niche between Peterborough’s big names the New Theatre and Key Theatre by staying community-driven while still landing big acts.

Recent weeks have seen everything from drag bingo to chart-topping tribute bands, proving you don’t have to head to London for a cracking night out.

And with tickets often under £25, it’s a refreshing change from wallet-draining arena shows.

Regulars say the charm is in the mix: “One night you’ve got Jimmy Carr, the next it’s a charity dance showcase it feels like the whole city uses it,” said local fan Priya.

With panto season round the corner (yes, it’s already being advertised),

 the Cresset looks set for one of its busiest years yet.

Oh no it isn’t? Oh yes it is.

What’s the best show you’ve seen at the Cresset — or are you secretly a Key Theatre loyalist?

Beauty & Style – Lippy on a Budget

Who says you need a London postcode (or a Kardashian bank balance) to keep your glam game strong?

Peterborough’s beauty scene has quietly levelled up and the bargains are hiding in plain sight.

From Savers on Bridge Street (where cult £3 mascaras fly off the shelves) to indie salons in Westgate Arcade offering eyebrow threading for less than a tenner, local women are proving you don’t need to splurge to feel fabulous.

One Spotlight reader, Hannah from Dogsthorpe, swears by swapping Sephora’s £25 lip stain for a £6 dupe she picks up in Queensgate: “It lasts through cocktails and a kebab. What more do you want?”

And it’s not just beauty buys the pre-loved rails at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall have been turning up Zara dresses and barely-worn boots for the price of a latte. Sustainable, stylish, and smugly thrifty.

Got a beauty hack or fashion steal we should feature?

Drop us your best tips we’ll try them out (all in the name of journalism, of course).

Soft Play Saviours

Rainy weekend + kids climbing the walls = Peterborough parents know the struggle.

 Luckily, the city’s soft play scene has your back and it’s not just Wacky Warehouse anymore.

• Activity World down Padholm Road remains the OG jungle gym, with slides big enough to terrify most dads.

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• Big Sky in Orton keeps toddlers happy with ball pits and a café where mums can actually drink a coffee while it’s still hot.

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• And newer spots like The Playbarn  just a few miles down the road in Fenstanton are winning over parents with cleaner spaces, friendly staff, and allergy-friendly menus.

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Local mum Leanne told us: “It’s not just about the kids  it’s the one place I can sit with friends, let the little ones burn off steam, and not feel judged for ordering chips at 10am.”

For many families, these spaces are more than play zones they’re survival tactics, especially during half-term madness.

👉 Parents where’s your go-to soft play spot in Peterborough and nearby? 

 Who’s brave enough to admit they love the slides as much as the kids?

Crime & Safety – The Shoplifting Scurge

If it feels like more people are slipping items into bags without paying, you’re not imagining it.

Figures from Cambridgeshire Police show a sharp rise in shoplifting across Peterborough this year, with everything from supermarket booze runs to beauty store raids making the stats spike.

Local retailers say it’s hitting hard:

• “We’re losing £500 a week and the staff are the ones facing the abuse,” said one city centre shop manager.

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• Meanwhile, smaller independents feel they’re bearing the brunt because big chains can afford security.

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The police insist more patrols are being rolled out in hotspots like Bridge Street and Queensgate, but frontline officers admit they’re stretched.

 The row has been fuelled by comments from politicians claiming police often won’t pursue thefts under £200.

Something critics are calling “a licence to steal.”

 And our readers aren’t shy about the double standards: if wardens can slap a fine on your car for being five minutes late, why can’t the police enforce shoplifting properly?

One Queensgate shopper told us: “I get prices are high, but stealing perfume or steaks doesn’t make it right — it just makes everything more expensive for the rest of us.”

Should Peterborough go zero tolerance on theft, or is it unrealistic given stretched resources?

Local Life – Coffee Corner

Peterborough runs on caffeine and it’s not just the big chains fuelling the city.

Independent cafés are quietly stealing the show, with spots like Bean Around (Cowgate) and Bewiched (Bridge Street) topping locals’ “must sip” lists.

Reader Emma swears by Bean Around’s flat white: “It’s half the price of London, and the staff actually smile at you.

” Meanwhile, students say Bewiched’s loyalty card has basically become currency at ARU Peterborough.

It’s more than just coffee, though these little hubs are where gossip is swapped, laptops opened, and life plotted out over a slice of cake.

 Starbucks might give you Wi-Fi, but the indies give you community.

Where’s your go-to caffeine fix and are you loyal to the independents or still sneaking into Costa?

The Price of Pretty: How Much Are You Paying for Packaging (And Wasting the Last Drop)?

We all love a sleek perfume bottle or a luxury cream jar, but here’s the ugly truth — you might be paying more for the packaging than the potion inside. And worse, you often can’t even get to the last drop.

Part 1 – Packaging Pounds

Cosmetic packaging isn’t just a lid and a box:

• A basic plastic jar can cost brands as little as 15–30p each.

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• But heavy glass, metallic coatings, embossed logos and custom moulds push costs up to £3–£5 per item that's before you even add shipping and branding.

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• Multiply that across thousands of units and you’re talking millions poured into glass, foil, and shiny boxes that land in the bin.

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So when you pay £60 for a face cream, don’t kid yourself a chunk of that is covering the bling, not the blend.

The Last Drop Tax

Ever cut open a bottle or jar and realised how much is left inside?

Studies and industry estimates suggest most bottles trap 2–5% of product in pumps, corners and thick glass walls.

On a high-end product:

• £80 serum (30ml) → up to £4 worth wasted.

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• £100 perfume → easily £5–£10 left in the bottle you can’t spray out.

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That’s the equivalent of tipping a fiver down the sink every time you finish your “luxury” lotion.

Beauty vs Waste

Packaging isn’t all bad: it protects formulas from spoiling, makes products feel luxe, and sells the brand story.

But it also:

• Pushes up your bill.

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• Creates mountains of waste (heavy glass, coated plastics, foils that aren’t easily recyclable).

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• Leaves you with “airless” pumps that trap product.

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Some brands are switching to refillable systems L’Occitane, The Body Shop, Charlotte Tilbury but these still come with higher upfront prices.

 Next time you pick up a fancy jar, ask yourself: are you paying for skin magic, or just the sparkle on the shelf?

And do you scrape the last drop or leave a tenner hiding in the bottle?

School Dinners vs Packed Lunches: Who’s Winning?

Gone are the days of turkey twizzlers and luminous pink sponge — but ask any Peterborough parent and you’ll hear school dinners are still hit-and-miss.

The average cost is now £2.65 per meal (around £13 a week per child), which adds up fast if you’ve got two kids in primary.

Packed lunches can work out cheaper but only if you don’t mind making 200 ham sandwiches a year.

Local mums told us:

• “Mine love hot dinners but why is it always pasta and not enough veg?” (Hampton mum)

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• “Packed lunch is cheaper, but the peer pressure is real  my daughter says her mates laugh if she hasn’t got a branded yoghurt.” (Bretton parent)

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One teacher confessed the truth: “By Friday, the packed lunches are half KitKats and crisps anyway.

We just hope the kids drink their water.”

The bigger question: are we fuelling our kids properly, or just keeping them alive until tea time?

Either way, Peterborough parents are footing the bill and debating it daily.

 What’s your hack — batch cooking, sneaky Lidl bargains, or a “let the school handle it” policy?

Panto Season Sneak Peek

It’s that time of year when sequins, boos, and “He’s behind you!” echo through theatres yes, panto season is back in Peterborough.

Here’s where the magic’s happening:

• Over at Key Theatre, Jack & The Beanstalk is set to run from 6 December to 4 January. They’re also doing a relaxed performance for folks who prefer gentler lighting and fewer loud surprises. 

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• Meanwhile, The Cresset is bringing Beauty and the Beast to its stage, with full audience participation and all the festive fun you’d expect.

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If you were on the fence, consider this your nudge: get your tickets early, practise your boos, and get ready to shout “He’s behind you!” louder than last year.

👉 Which panto are you most excited to see the giant beans, the beast, or a totally twisted Snow White return?

Where To Panto This Christmas - Whats Best For Your Family?

Peterborough doesn’t just do one panto it’s practically a city-wide sport. Sequins, silly jokes, and more audience participation than a Love Island final. Here’s your festive cheat sheet:

• Jack & The Beanstalk – New Theatre Broadway (16 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026)

• 
  Normally at the Key, but with the roof out of action the beans have been planted on Broadway instead.

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• Expect giants, magic beans, and plenty of “Fee-fi-fo-fum!” moments.

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• Beauty & The Beast – The Cresset (6 Dec – 31 Dec 2025)

• 
  Bretton’s big festive bash. A mix of slapstick, sparkle, and sing-alongs.

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•  Perfect for little ones who like a happy-ever-after with their Haribos.

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• Community Pantos – keep an eye on village halls and schools

• 
  From Orton to Werrington, smaller groups are staging everything from Cinderella to Aladdin.

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• They might not have pyrotechnics, but they’ve got heart  and ticket prices that won’t make your wallet cry.

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One mum told us: “My kids spend all year waiting to shout ‘He’s behind you!’ louder than the actors.

Honestly, I think they love booing the villain more than opening presents.”

So whether you’re after star names, local laughs, or just an excuse to eat a family-sized bag of Maltesers before lunch Peterborough’s panto season has you covered.

Which show are you booking for?

And who’s going to be brave enough to get dragged on stage this year?

Pothole Pandemonium

Peterborough’s roads are looking less like tarmac and more like Swiss cheese and drivers have had enough.

Some craters are now so deep the Fenland Caving Society joked they’ve cancelled their trip to Derbyshire and will just train on Bourges Boulevard instead.

Funny… until you burst a tyre.

More than 8,000 potholes were reported in Peterborough last year, with drivers naming hotspots like the Crescent Bridge roundabout on Bourges, the Frank Perkins Parkway slip roads, and Dogsthorpe Road.

 A £6 million repair programme is supposedly underway, but locals say it’s “temporary tarmac, permanent problem.”

And the costs aren’t just to the council.

The AA estimates pothole damage costs UK drivers £350–£600 per repair.

Local garages say they’re seeing bent alloys, wrecked suspensions, and endless tracking jobs: “Great for business, rubbish for morale.”

All of which fuels the bigger gripe why are council tax bills climbing while roads feel like obstacle courses?

Some blame central government cuts, others say City Hall has its spending priorities upside down. Either way, confidence is at rock bottom.

What’s the worst pothole you’ve dodged (or not) in Peterborough?

Send us your snaps best names win bragging rights.

Deer on the Move

Forget traffic jams — the real autumn hazard on Peterborough’s outskirts right now has four legs and a set of antlers.

It’s rutting season for deer, which means muntjac and roe are more active, less alert, and often seen darting across country roads in pairs.

Locals in villages like Glinton, Castor, and Wansford say they’ve already spotted more near-misses on the lanes.

 One driver told us: “First one ran across, then seconds later another followed — nearly had me in the ditch.”

The advice is simple: slow down, especially at dawn and dusk, and keep your eyes peeled beyond the hedgerows.

Deer collisions are on the rise nationally, and with Peterborough’s mix of rural roads and green edges, we’re right in the thick of it.

So if you’re heading out towards the countryside this month remember, the deer aren’t stopping for traffic lights.

Have you had a close call with wildlife on the roads around Peterborough?

Send us your stories or better still, your dashcam clips.

Only in Peterborough: the council can’t fix a pothole in under six months (or longer)… but they can give you a parking ticket in six minutes.

Green and Clean… or Greenwash?

Peterborough’s long had a reputation for being one of England’s “greenest cities” thanks to all those parkways, trees, and Ferry Meadows.

Now the council’s doubling down with plans to plant 3,000 new trees across the city over the next two years, backed by national rewilding funds.

On paper, it’s a win: cleaner air, prettier streets, cooler summers. Residents in Dogsthorpe and Stanground are already spotting new saplings popping up on verges.

But not everyone’s convinced.

Some grumble that while money’s going on trees, basics like potholes, street lighting, and litter are left lagging.

Others point out that half the last batch of saplings planted along Bourges Boulevard never made it past their first summer.

Local mum Jodie put it bluntly: “I love the idea of more trees, but can we water them?

Or are we just planting expensive twigs?”

So  progress worth celebrating, or another glossy headline that will wither away?

 What do you think green investment we’ll thank them for, or yet another council vanity project?

Sponsored By Smart Money – The Debt Domino Effect

If your bank balance feels like it’s running away faster than a Peterborough taxi on a Saturday night, here’s a trick worth knowing: the “highest interest first” method for paying off debt.

How it works:

1. Keep paying the minimums on all debts (so you don’t get stung with fees).

2.  

3. Throw every spare pound at the debt with the highest interest rate — usually a credit card.

4.  

5. Once that’s cleared, roll the same payment onto the next-highest debt, then the next, until you’re free.

6.  

It’s called the “debt avalanche” method, and it saves you hundreds (sometimes thousands) in interest compared to just spreading payments.

But here’s the  kicker: being debt-free often beats saving.

Why? Because credit cards at 20% interest cancel out any joy from a savings account at 4%.

You’re better off killing the card first.

That said, don’t ignore a rainy-day buffer.

Even chucking £10–20 a month into an emergency fund means when the boiler packs up, you dip into your own pot instead of back onto plastic.

One reader put it perfectly: “Being debt-free is the best pay rise I ever gave myself.”

👉 What’s your strategy — save while you pay off, or go all-in on debt first?

If you'd like more money tips each week sign up for Peterborough Smart Money News 

Coming Soon: Local Insider Guides

We love cramming as much juice into Spotlight as possible — but some topics deserve their own stage.

That’s why we’re quietly working on two new spin-off newsletters just for Peterborough readers:

• Smart Money News (Peterborough edition) – no jargon, just straight-talking tips to stretch your wages, dodge the debt traps, and actually make sense of mortgages.

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• Home Seller Insider (Peterborough edition) – a no-fluff guide for anyone thinking of moving house, with local insights on pricing, what buyers want, and the pitfalls estate agents don’t always shout about.

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They’re designed to be bite-sized, practical, and a bit cheeky  just like Spotlight, but laser-focused.

👉 Fancy an early peek? Keep an eye on

 peterborough.smartmoneynews.co.uk and peterborough.homesellerinsider.co.uk.

We’ll be sharing more very soon.

Peterborough’s Warehouse Boom

If you’ve driven past at Gateway Peterborough, the logistics park by Junction 17 of the A1(M)… lately, you’ll have noticed the skyline sprouting more giant sheds than a B&Q catalogue.

It’s not your imagination Peterborough’s logistics and warehousing sector is booming, with new units being snapped up by delivery giants and manufacturers alike.

The good news?

Jobs. The sector now employs thousands locally, from forklift drivers to IT managers, with average salaries edging higher than retail or hospitality.

The controversy?

Locals argue the city’s becoming “Shedborough” endless warehouses on the edge of town, but little investment in the city centre.

 Environmental groups also point to traffic and pollution concerns.

One local business owner told us: “It’s great to see jobs coming, but we need more balance not just sheds, but shops and culture in town too.”

Love it or hate it, Peterborough’s big-box boom is reshaping the city’s economy.

And with more applications in the pipeline, the debate isn’t going away.

Is this the future logistics hub of the East or are we selling our soul for short-term jobs?

Gurkha Lounge (Hampton) — Himalayan Flavour in the Suburbs 

If your idea of a “curry night” is getting stale,  Gurkha Lounge in Hampton Vale is injecting something new and the locals seem to agree.

 With consistently high ratings and glowing reviews, it’s already considered among the city’s best Indian/Nepalese spots. Infact restaurants of all types.

What stands out

• Nepalese & Indian cuisine blended into a fresher dining experience, not just more of the same.

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• Menu prices average around £22 for a full meal, with generous portions.

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• Reviews praise the food as “out of this world,” with warm, attentive service.

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The vibe

They lean into Himalayan flair dumplings (momos), spice layers, and unexpected twists.

The vibe is unpretentious yet welcoming, and staff get constant shout-outs for friendliness.

One diner summed it up: “Probably the best curry I’ve ever had anywhere. Service superb too. An absolute must!”

Yes, it’s a bit of a trek if you’re in the city centre, but for Hampton and nearby it’s spot on more flavour, less fuss.

 If you go, try the momos and keep an eye on the Himalayan specials.

Kennels vs Pet Sitters: The Great Debate

Half-term trips and Christmas holidays are creeping up, and for Peterborough’s pet owners the big question looms: who’s looking after the dog (or cat) while you’re away?

Kennels are the traditional choice structured, staffed, and often with outdoor runs.

Supporters say it gives pets routine, safety, and 24/7 supervision.

But critics argue some animals find kennels stressful, noisy, and impersonal.

On the flip side, pet sitters  whether local professionals or trusted neighbours  keep pets in their familiar surroundings.

Less stress, fewer tummy upsets… but what about reliability, and the cost of one-to-one care?

Local vet nurses say the answer depends on your pet’s personality.

Confident, social dogs might thrive in kennels; anxious cats or elderly pets often do better with sitters.

Either way, planning early is key the best kennels and sitters get booked up weeks in advance.

What do you think Kennels or Pet Sitters? Cast your vote on our Facebook page, and let’s settle it Peterborough-style.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a wrap for this week’s Peterborough Spotlight. We’ve covered potholes, panto, pubs, and even perfume packaging  not bad for one email, eh?

Next week we’ll be getting festive with a sneak peek at Peterborough’s Christmas Market and lights switch-on, plus more cheeky tips, local gems, and of course your votes on the Kennels vs Pet Sitters debate.

👉 Stay tuned because if it matters in Peterborough, it matters here in Spotlight.