The Peterborough Spotlight shines a light on everything that makes Peterborough, Cambridgeshire the unique city it is

Bean Around Coffee: Sicilian Heat Meets Zimbabwean Soul

You can smell it before you see it.

Freshly pulled espresso drifting through Cathedral Square, cutting through the pigeon gossip and market banter.

A café with more story than your average paperback and enough crema to fuel an army of commuters.

Unlike the beige high-street chains, Bean Around is family-run, fiercely independent, and proudly stitched together from two continents.

On one side: Sicilian passion, the kind of coffee obsession that treats every espresso shot like theatre.

On the other: Zimbabwean heritage, bringing craft, grit, and a quiet perfectionism that makes sure every cup lands exactly as it should.

The result?

A flat white that can stop you mid-scroll and a cappuccino that’ll have you texting your mates: “Forget Costa. We’ve levelled up.”

Step inside and it’s not just coffee you’re buying. It’s atmosphere.

Students and freelancers tapping away on laptops, market-goers resting their shopping bags, families splitting cakes the size of bricks.

One regular laughed: “It’s like a living room — but the kettle’s fancier and the Wi-Fi works.”

The menu doesn’t play it safe either.

Alongside strong espresso and smooth lattes, there’s Sicilian-inspired pastries, gooey tray bakes, and the kind of sourdough sandwiches that make you question every sad supermarket meal deal you’ve ever bought.

And because it’s run by humans, not head office, you’ll often find seasonal specials that reflect the mood of the square pumpkin spiced in autumn, citrus-zipped coolers in summer, and always with that mischievous “let’s see what works” vibe.

But the real magic is how Bean Around has become a hub.

Need a quiet table for a pitch?

You’ll find a corner. Looking to gossip with your mate?

Grab the window seats and watch the city go by.

Want to introduce a visiting friend to Peterborough’s indie scene?

This is your starter kit. It’s not just about the caffeine hit — it’s about giving the city centre somewhere that feels like ours.

And here’s the bit chains can’t copy: community.

Owners who know your name, baristas who actually smile when you order, regulars who’ll share their charger if yours is dead.

It’s proof that small can be mighty, that local beats generic, and that sometimes the most powerful thing you can buy for £3.50 is a sense of belonging.

So next time you’re in Cathedral Square, skip the identikit latte.

Go Bean Around. Order the slice of cake that looks too big (trust us, you’ll finish it).

And when your mates ask why you’re glowing just tell them: “Zimbabwean soul. Sicilian heat. Peterborough heart.”

Got a local indie business you think deserves the spotlight next?

Tip us off we’re always hungry (and thirsty) for the good stuff.

PB Means Business (Literally)
Creative call-up: The Growth Hub’s handing out golden tickets to local creative businesses.
A free 10-week Investment Readiness bootcamp kicks off this month, teaching entrepreneurs how to pitch without sounding like The Apprentice.
If your business is more “big idea” than “big budget,” this is your in.
Expo energy: Forget awkward LinkedIn cold calls.
On 2 October, KingsGate turns into networking central as The Local View’s Business Expo takes over. Forty stands, free chatter, and more business cards flying than in a Dragon’s Den bin.
PB by the numbers: Did you know Peterborough is home to 7,800+ businesses?
From 3D printing labs to logistics wizards, plus ARU’s shiny new research campus and a government hub crammed with 1,000 civil servants.
Translation: we’re not just a commuter city—we’re a business beast.
Awards season sparkle: The Excellence in Business Awards are back on 20 November.
Nominations are in, interviews start this month, and tuxedos are being nervously dusted off.
If you’re not on the shortlist, start rehearsing your “maybe next year” speech.
Got a PB business story that deserves the mic?
Tip us off — we’ll spread the buzz louder than a council drill on Broadway.

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Sponsor Spotlight ✦

Want locals talking about you over their morning brew?
Get seen in Peterborough’s favourite weekly read.
DFY sponsorships and custom ad spots now open.

Soup, smiles, and second chances – Peterborough Soup Kitchen

Every evening, while the rest of us argue over Deliveroo, there’s a team quietly dishing up hot meals to those who need them most.

Peterborough Soup Kitchen has been ladling out soup, tea, and dignity for decades no fuss, no judgment, just warmth in a cup.

Run entirely by volunteers, it’s a rolling rota of people who swap Netflix for night shifts, serving from vans across the city centre.

One volunteer told us, “It’s not about the soup. It’s about saying: someone cares that you’re here tonight.”

The faces queuing aren’t always what you expect.

Rough sleepers, yes — but also people in temporary housing, or just those floored by bills.

In a cost-of-living crunch, the need has only grown. And yet, somehow, the pots never run out.

It’s not glamorous work. It’s standing in the cold, chopping endless veg, and smiling even when you’re tired.

But it’s also laughter in the van, community on the pavement, and proof that the city’s heart beats strongest after dark.

So next time you pass them in Cathedral Square, don’t just hurry by.

Give them a nod. Heroes don’t always wear capes — sometimes they wear hi-vis and carry soup ladles.

Got a local volunteer hero we should shout about? Nominate them — we love a reason to brag about good people.

The Blue Bell, Glinton – a pub with posh grub and proper charm

Five miles from Peterborough, tucked in Glinton, you’ll find The Blue Bell the kind of pub that does food so good you start planning excuses to “just pop in” every week.

Think roaring fire, beams that look like they’ve seen a few centuries, and menus that mix pub comfort with a cheeky fine-dining flourish.

Locals rave about the Sunday roasts,with Yorkshires tall enough to hide behind, potatoes crispier than your aunt’s Facebook comments, and gravy that deserves its own Michelin star.

During the week, it’s all about seasonal specials: venison, game, and seafood that feels wildly fancy for a village pint stop.

One diner told us: “It’s the only place I’ve ordered sticky toffee pudding where the staff didn’t bat an eyelid when I asked for extra custard.” That’s the kind of service we salute.

It’s not the cheapest, but if you want a night out that feels like a treat without going all the way to Cambridge, The Blue Bell hits the spot.

Got a local spot where the puddings deserve poetry? Tell us we’ll eat our way through your tips.

Meet Kane, the sun-loving gent from RSPCA Block Fen. He came in via an inspector after being rescued from a cat colony a bit shy at first, unsure of the world beyond.

But give him a little time and, like a proper PB underdog (well, under-cat), he’s found his stride.

These days Kane trots over for fuss, enjoys the company of staff and volunteers, and spends his afternoons exactly where he belongs:

stretched out on his chair in the sun, surveying life with quiet confidence.

Kane’s dream home?

A calm, adult-only, pet-free setup where he can settle at his own pace and not worry about toddlers nicking his spot.

All introductions will happen at the centre, so you’ll get to meet him on his own terms.

Got space in your life (and your favourite chair) for Kane? Pop over to RSPCA Block Fen and say hello — he might just decide you’re his person.

Meet Delilah, a three-year-old greyhound who’s equal parts elegance and goofball.

She hasn’t lived with children before, but thanks to her sweet and friendly nature she could share her home with kids aged 5+ as long as they understand that even speedy hounds need their chill-out time.

Delilah’s biggest love?

Other dogs. She lights up around them and would thrive with a four-legged friend of similar size who can match her bouncy play style.

She’s playful to the point of hilarious her zoomies are legendary and sometimes forgets just how much dog she is when the excitement kicks in.

With her gentle heart, high spirits, and those classic greyhound good looks, Delilah’s ready to trade kennel life for sofa snuggles and long runs.

She’s waiting at Woodgreen (Godmanchester) for the right family to come along.

Think you’ve got the energy (and garden space) for Delilah’s zoomies? Pop over to Woodgreen and see if she’s your perfect match.

This newsletter sponsored by

Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice

This week’s slot is donated to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice — care, compassion, and comfort when it’s needed most. 💛
Local businesses can sponsor a future Spotlight — get in touch to see your name here.

Sue Ryder — Care, Community, and a Little Retail Therapy

Peterborough’s Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice does extraordinary work every day, helping people live their final chapters with dignity, comfort, and compassion.

But you don’t have to walk through hospice doors to support them. Their charity shops across the city from Lincoln Road to Bridge Street are buzzing with treasure hunters, bargain finders, and volunteers who know the power of community spirit.

Every jumper sold, every book bought, and every hour volunteered helps fund vital care.

So next time you spot that Sue Ryder sign, remember it’s more than retail it’s local love in action.

Got a favourite charity shop find? Send us your brag pic we’ll feature the best.

Boots Advantage hack – Stack your £10 Tuesday offer with Advantage card points and suddenly your £20 mascara costs less than a Greggs meal deal.
Cinema sneaky seats – At Showcase Peterborough, off-peak tickets (before 5pm Mon–Thu) are a couple of quid cheaper. Perfect for parents or anyone with a “flexible lunch break.”
Council tip-top tip – Many Peterborough recycling centres offer free compost in spring and autumn. Bring your own bags and don’t mind the queue — one reader calls it “black gold for gardeners.”
Supermarket self-scan trick – Some self-scan checkouts spit out surprise vouchers. Regulars swear the Orton Morrisons one is “weirdly generous.”
Energy saver swap – Swap one main meal a week for “slow cooker night.” It costs pennies to run, and you’ll feel like a domestic god/goddess when the stew’s waiting after work.

Got a money hack that makes you feel like Martin Lewis with better jokes? Send it in — Sally’s all ears.

Here’s one most sellers miss: smell sells. Buyers might forgive dodgy wallpaper, but they won’t forget walking into eau de wet dog or last night’s takeaway.

Local agents swear by a pre-viewing blitz: open the windows, ditch the plug-in air fresheners (they scream “what are you hiding?”), and stick a loaf of bread or a tray of cookies in the oven.

One agent told us, “Nothing shifts a house faster than the smell of cake.”

It’s not about tricking people it’s about reminding them your house feels like a home. And if you don’t bake? Greggs bags hidden in the bin work just as well.

Want more insider tips that don’t cost a fortune? Sign up for our free Home Seller Insider straight-talking, no jargon, all wins.

Health & Beauty
Forget pricey gym memberships the cheapest facelift is just… moving.

A brisk 20-minute walk around Ferry Meadows does more for your mood (and your jawline) than any miracle cream.

Add a podcast, and suddenly it’s therapy, cardio, and gossip time rolled into one.

And here’s a beauty hack straight from the pros: swap cotton pads for a microfibre cloth.

One cloth = hundreds of uses, softer on skin, and your bank account will thank you.

One reader told us, “Best £3 I ever spent — my face is happier and my bin’s emptier.”

Got a weird but wonderful health tip that actually works? Send it in — we’ll test it, so you don’t have to.

Craft & Create
Autumn means pumpkins everywhere — but carving isn’t the only game in town. Try pumpkin painting for a no-mess, no plaster version of the tradition.

Grab some cheap acrylics, glitter, or even leftover nail polish, and let the kids go wild.

Polka-dot pumpkin? Fine. Rainbow stripes? Why not.

One dad in Orton confessed his looked like “a crime scene in orange,” but his daughter declared it “artsy,” so it’s fridge-photo status.

The best part?

Painted pumpkins last longer than carved ones, so you won’t be sweeping mouldy Jack-o’-lanterns off the doorstep by mid-October.

Got a crafty twist on autumn traditions? Tell us — we’ll share the ones that save mess and win smiles.

September Showstoppers

September didn’t tiptoe out — it danced, laughed, and belted the roof off. Here’s what had Peterborough buzzing last week:

Tim Peake at the New Theatre (25 Sept)

Our favourite astronaut touched down with rocket stories, orbital bloopers, and the kind of behind-the-visor secrets you don’t get from documentaries. The crowd left starry-eyed literally.

Organ Fireworks at the Cathedral (25 Sept)

The Cathedral’s pipes rattled ribs and shook the nave in a way that even Dolby surround would envy. Attendees called it “half concert, half spiritual workout.”

Comedy Club at The Cresset (26 Sept)

Friday night rolled out four comics who tested their sharpest gags on a Peterborough crowd. Verdict? Faces hurt from laughing, and at least one pint nearly got spat across the room.

Evolution of Fishermen at Angles Theatre, Wisbech (26 Sept)

Folk songs and Fenland stories cast a spell in Wisbech, proving you don’t need a sea to feel the pull of maritime lore. Fishermen’s yarns never sounded so tuneful.

Takeaway: Late September was a reminder that our patch doesn’t just put events on a calendar it stages moments that stick.

Were you in the crowd? Send us your best snap we’ll crown one reader as our Spotlight Snap of the Week.

Weather Watch
Late September in Peterborough usually means one thing: layers. Days often hover around 16–19°C, evenings drop to a crisp 8–10°C, and showers like to crash the party just when you’ve left your brolly at home.

Think cosy jumpers in the morning, sunglasses by lunch, and heating debates by tea. Perfect for harvest festivals, less perfect for washing on the line.

Got your own “local weather wisdom”? (E.g. “If the Cathedral pigeons roost early, it’s going to rain.”) Share it — we’ll feature the best Fenland forecasts next week.

Gino’s Comeback Cook-Up

Dumped by ITV after misconduct claims? Most people would lie low.

Not Gino D’Acampo. He’s plotting a return with a travel-meets-cooking series filmed in Ireland and Malta, plus whispers of a move to Australia.

The tabloids are calling it the “Oven Door Slam Return.” We’ll call it: bold, brash, and very Gino.

Celebrity Freebie Frenzy

Half of Essex seems to be living off freebies with Mark Wright, Katie Price, and Billie Faiers all clocked bagging hundreds of thousands in PR swag.

From sofas to snacks, it’s the “celebrity scrounger scandal.” One wag wrote: “Half a million in hashtags, zero receipts.”

Coach ‘Coach-Tastrophe’

Dating coach Sadia Khan is in hot water after leaked voice notes suggested she had a fling with an engaged client (who also paid £6k for her services).

Twitter’s renamed her the “Coach Drop” — and the memes are merciless.

Spotlight Poll: Which scandal would you binge first if it was a soap?

Oven Door Slam Return
Celebrity Scrounger Scandal
Coach Drop Drama

Got a better tabloid-style headline?

Send it wittiest wins a feature next week.

TV to Catch

Bake Off (C4, Tue 8pm) – It’s bread week, aka “watching fully grown adults panic over proving dough.
” Expect at least one collapsing focaccia and Paul Hollywood giving side-eye strong enough to curdle butter.
Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, Sat 7pm) – Sequins, sambas, and someone inevitably taking a tango so seriously they nearly injure the scenery.
Place your bets on the first glitter-related casualty.
Big Brother (ITV2, nightly) – Still serving chaos: arguments over milk, alliances made in the loo, and one housemate convinced a colander is a fashion statement.
The Morning Show (Apple TV+, Thu) – Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon back for corporate drama with better lighting than Peterborough Council chambers.
Watch for boardroom fireworks and hair envy.

Got a guilty-pleasure watch you’d never admit to on Facebook? Tell us — we’ll confess ours if you do.

Hidden Trench Gem

This week’s bargain crown goes to Age UK Vintage on Bridge Street, where a reader scored a Burberry-style trench coat for just £18. That’s runway drama at charity-shop prices — and still cheaper than dinner at Nando’s.

Swap Shop Chic

At Peterborough City Market (Bridge Street food hall & stalls, Tue–Sat), local traders are offering cozy find-your-own-scarf levels of charm.

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/image-library/dar-handbags.xa809a5b8.jpeg?quality=75&width=640

“City Market style: scarves, retro accessories, and the art of thrifty layering.”

Smart Shopper Tip

Want first dibs on statement jackets and vintage duds?

Go midweek—markets are calmer, rails are fresh, and traders will happily guide you to hidden gems that matter.

Nabbed a fashion steal that made you strut Broadway like it was a catwalk?

Send your snaps most fabulous find wins a Spotlight feature.

Lido shuts up shop (7 Sept)

Swimmers swapped for pigeons as Peterborough Lido closed its gates for the season. The last splash? A dog-swim party that turned into a full-blown bark-fest.

Whittlesey Festival returns (14 Sept)

Parades, live acts, classic cars, craft stalls — and half the town centre out in force. Proof that Whittlesey does community spirit better than most.

Wisbech Orchard Project opens (2 Sept)

Heritage apples, community planting, and a few cheeky wasps staking their claim. The orchard is now officially open for green-fingered locals.

Hampton Library goes late

Thanks to the new “Branch Out” scheme, Hampton’s library is now open to members Mon–Thu until 10 pm. More time for novels… or free Wi-Fi, we won’t judge.

Stamford’s wigs still in storage

The Georgian Festival hasn’t returned since 2019, leaving Bridgerton fans wig-less for another year. Maybe it’s time to dust off your own powdered number?

Got a local headline we should twist into gold? Send it in — next week’s spotlight might be yours.

Rightmove (Sept 2025) puts Peterborough’s average asking price at £246,000, down 0.4% from last month.

Not exactly a crash — more like a cautious shuffle.

Agents say buyers are laser-focused on the practical stuff: driveways, good insulation, and solar panels.

One joked, “A buyer will forgive a poky lounge if they can park outside and keep the bills down.”

Our two pence? Forget showing off the walk-in wardrobe stick an “EPC B” rating in your listing and you’ll have buyers queuing faster than for Greggs’ Festive Bake.

Nudge: Want more no-fluff tips? Sign up to our free Home Seller Insider — the only property advice that makes you smirk.*

Closing Thought

That’s September tied up with a neat bow — roasts, rumours, and rainclouds all accounted for.

As October knocks, expect the gossip to get spicier than a pumpkin latte and the events calendar to fill faster than the A47 at rush hour.

Next week we’ll be sinking our teeth into March apple bashes, a Thorney volunteer tale, and an Orton café gem you’ll want to keep secret (but we won’t let you).

Stick with us — autumn’s just getting interesting.

Got an October ritual? (Pumpkin spice? Conker fights? Secret stash of Quality Street?) Tell us — we’ll share the quirkiest next week.