Peterborough Spotlight
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Local flavour, fresh finds β Peterboroughβs week served warm


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Peterborough Spotlight
Archives
Local flavour, fresh finds β Peterboroughβs week served warm

Graham
Oct 30, 2025
Some weeks, Peterborough just feels alive noisy, unpredictable, slightly bonkers, but absolutely ours.
The leaves are gold, the trains are late, and Christmas has apparently started in October (because why wouldnβt it?).
Welcome to another week of Peterborough being Peterborough passionate, divided, occasionally daft, and always worth talking about. |
"We’ll buy it ourselves if we have to” Peterborough’s Hindu community fights for its temple |
The smell of incense and fresh paint hangs over Lincoln Road, where the Bharat Hindu Samaj Temple is doing double duty part place of worship, part fundraising HQ.
Outbid everyone else for the site itβs called home for decades, after the council put it on the market as part of a desperate bid to reduce city debt.
Temple leader Ashish Pathak stands by a whiteboard filled with numbers, not mantras. βWeβre not asking for charity,β he says. βWeβll buy it outright β because you canβt put a price on belonging.β
The council insists itβs a neutral process, open to all bidders. But for thousands of locals Hindu and otherwise it feels like something more symbolic.
Thatβs bad karma.β
Critics argue Peterborough canβt afford sentimentality.
Supporters say a city that sells its soul to balance the books has already lost more than money.
Until then, donations keep rolling in coins, notes, even gold bangles dropped quietly into the collection pot.
So what are your views β balance the books or respect the feelings of worshippers?
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Another week, another apology – Ely chaos leaves Peterborough passengers fuming |
Itβs the same message every morning βsignalling faults near Ely, we apologise for the delay.β
The latest round of repair works on the Ely junction, part of Network Railβs long-delayed Ely Area Capacity Enhancement, has once again thrown the regionβs timetable into chaos.
Engineers promise itβll eventually double line capacity and unclog the eastβs busiest choke point β but passengers arenβt feeling the benefit yet.
βWeβre told itβs short-term pain for long-term gain,β said one weary regular, βbut thereβs been nothing short about the pain.β
Council leaders insist the project is vital for the regionβs growth, unlocking freight and passenger routes across East Anglia.
But until itβs finished, Peterboroughβs paying the price in lost hours, cold platforms, and railcard dΓ©jΓ vu.
So how bad has it been for you β minor inconvenience or daily nightmare?
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Bills fall on paper, but most Peterborough households say they feel no richer |
Energy prices have technically dropped again β the Ofgem price cap fell by 7% this month but you wouldnβt know it from most Peterborough kitchen tables.
The ONS says household budgets are still under the same pressure they were a year ago; the average family now spends Β£78 more a month on essentials than in 2023.
At Bretton Community Hub, volunteers say footfall hasnβt eased. βWe expected fewer people after bills fell,β said one coordinator βbut demandβs steady. Theyβre still juggling everything else thatβs gone up.β
Local business owners echo the strain. One cafΓ© owner told us his gas bill is finally manageable again β βjust in time for milk, sugar and beans to double.β
The irony hasnβt gone unnoticed online, where one commenter summed it up neatly: βWeβve reached the point where a price drop still feels like bad news.β
So what about you β have you noticed your bills easing or is it still a monthly panic? |
Renters squeezed again as Peterborough’s average flat hits £970 a month |
If youβre renting in Peterborough, you already know the story itβs just been confirmed by the numbers.
Nationally rents rose 8 %, but local tenants say itβs the squeeze outside London that hurts most.
Agents blame higher mortgages and licensing costs.
Landlords say tax and regulation are pushing them to sell.
Renters, meanwhile, are asking how long βmarket forcesβ can justify three pay rises a year for their landlord.
A housing adviser at a local letting agency said viewing queues are βback to post-Covid levels β 25 people for every half-decent flat.β
The councilβs selective-licensing review due next spring may offer slight relief by tightening quality standards, but affordability remains grim.
Have you been hunting for a flat or had to move this year?
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Peterborough’s micro-businesses shine: “We’re still here, and we’re thriving” |
While national chains continue to struggle, one of Peterboroughβs independent success stories is bucking the trend.
Up The Garden Bath a community retail hub launched in 2020 has been named one of the UKβs 100 most inspiring small businesses for 2025.
Founded with a mission to turn waste into value, its Unity store in Queensgate Shopping Centre has generated more than Β£725,000 in sales for local makers and welcomed over 25,000 visitors since opening.
The accolade lands against a tough backdrop of energy costs, supply-chain headaches and cautious consumer spending.
Yet their model recycling, local craft, personal service has helped build resilience.
Have you made a conscious effort to shop local this year?
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Hiring’s up — but pay still can’t catch the bills in Peterborough’s job market |
Peterboroughβs job adverts are on the rise again, with the number of open roles up 9 per cent on this time last year.
Local recruitment firms report record demand for warehouse, logistics, and healthcare staff, yet inflation has quietly swallowed most of the modest pay gains.
At the cityβs JobSmart centre, advisers say the patternβs clear: people are working more hours, taking second jobs, or freelancing just to stay level.
ONS figures show average weekly wages in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough rose 4 % year-on-year, while food and fuel costs rose nearly 7 %.
So for many households, the maths still doesnβt balance.
Have you picked up extra work, changed jobs, or noticed pay rising where you are?
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Recycling rates stall as Peterborough bins miss the mark again |
Peterboroughβs once-touted recycling record has flat-lined.
City Council officers blame contamination in blue bins and the continued confusion over plastics.
Environmental groups say the plateau reflects wider fatigue.
The Council plans a public education push and trials of digital bin tags early next year to track participation rates. Critics argue that the real issue is cost-cutting, not awareness.
So whatβs the truth on your street do neighbours recycle properly or just give up?
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Lights, stalls, and a dash of sparkle — Cathedral Christmas Market set to return bigger than ever |
The cityβs best-loved festive tradition is back.
Organisers say demand from traders was βthrough the roof,β with stall space selling out weeks ahead. Expect artisan gifts, local produce, and live music from community choirs across the weekend.
Event coordinator Rachel Hughes said the market has become βa warm-up act for Christmas itself people plan their calendars around it.β
Visitors can also explore the Illuminated Cathedral Trail, which returns for its second year, lighting the nave and cloisters in shifting blues and golds.
Are you a Cathedral Market regular, or do you prefer quieter festive spots round the city?
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GPs brace for winter rush as Peterborough surgeries warn of record demand |
Local doctors are warning that this winter could be one of the busiest on record.
Dr. Patel, who runs a practice in the cityβs west end, said the strain is showing: βWeβre seeing waiting lists stretch, even with longer hours and extra clinics. Everyoneβs doing double shifts to stay ahead.β
Pharmacies are being urged to take on more minor cases under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, while the local hospital has reintroduced its βvirtual wardβ service to ease bed pressure.
Still, many patients report frustration at appointment delays and repeat prescription backlogs.
Have you struggled to get an appointment or found a local pharmacy that really helps?
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Butterflies return to Nene Park as volunteers give wild spaces new life |
Thereβs a quiet transformation happening at Nene Park β and itβs fluttering in on painted wings.
The project, supported by Nene Park Trust, has replanted native wildflowers and created small βsun-trapβ patches for bees and insects.
The garden also doubles as a wellbeing space, with quiet seating areas where visitors can unwind, picnic, or join guided nature walks.
Have you visited the Butterfly Garden or spotted more wildlife in your area lately?
Plus if you want to know more about Bugs and Insects check out the Bug LIfe charity website |
Posh Foundation brings football fever to city schools” |
Peterborough Unitedβs #UnitedForSchools programme has been keeping local pupils on their toes bringing coaching sessions, fitness challenges and classroom talks on teamwork to schools across the city this autumn.
Foundation coaches sometimes joined by first-team players have already visited more than a dozen Peterborough schools, including Nene Park Academy and Ken Stimpson Community School, reaching over 1,500 pupils this term.
One Year 8 student said the highlight was βseeing pros train with us β they make it fun, not just drills.β
Teachers call it βthe kind of initiative that gets kids believing they belong on the pitch.β
Your say:
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Paws and Whiskers Walk brings tails, smiles, and £3,000 for rescue pets |
More than a hundred dogs (and a few brave cats in carriers) took over Ferry Meadows last weekend for the Paws and Whiskers Walk, raising funds for Wood Green Animal Charity.
Organisers said this yearβs turnout was the biggest yet, with more than Β£3,000 raised through entry fees and donations.
Pet stalls, microchipping stands and free training demos added to the festival feel, proving once again that Peterboroughβs love for animals has real heart.
πΆ Spotlight invite: Thinking of adopting or volunteering?
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Peterborough volunteer named ‘Neighbour of the Year’ after two decades of quiet kindness |
You probably wouldnβt notice Alan, 67, if you passed him in Ravensthorpe but half the street credits him with keeping the neighbourhood together.
Alan says heβs embarrassed by the fuss. βI just like seeing people smile itβs that simple,β he told the local press. βIf I can help someone change a bulb or fix a fence, thatβs a good day.β
Council leader Wayne Fitzgerald praised the win as βa reminder that community spirit doesnβt come from committees, it comes from people like Alan.β
π‘ Spotlight shout-out: Know another unsung local hero?
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Sellers stall, renters scramble: Peterborough’s market in slow motion” |
Peterboroughβs housing scene has gone oddly quiet unless youβre renting, in which case itβs anything but.
Average rents have crept to around Β£970 a month, up nearly 6 % on last year, with letting agents in Hampton Vale and Dogsthorpe saying they could fill most flats twice over.
Sales, meanwhile, are moving at walking pace.
The result?
A market that feels more like a staring contest than a sprint.
π‘ Your move:
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Lotus brings a little Mayfair magic to Westgate |
Westgate just got its buzz back β and this time itβs coming from the kitchen.
Behind the project are two familiar names: Keshab Khatiwada, best known for Hampton Valeβs Gurkha Lounge, and Chef Badri Khadka, whose London background includes Michelin-starred Tamarind, Zaika, and Kricket.
Refined Indian and Nepalese dishes served with genuine local warmth fine dining without the fuss.
Highlights include crisp vegetable momos, slow-cooked Himalayan lamb shank, and seafood curries rich enough to make you forget itβs Tuesday.
Before the official launch, the team hosted a Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice fundraiser a thoughtful start that hasnβt gone unnoticed.
Early diners are calling Lotus βthe restaurant Peterboroughβs been waiting forβ a place that feels special but still familiar.
π₯’ Spotlight question: Tried Lotus yet?
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Spooks, Sparks & Saturday Sounds |
When: Fri 31 Oct β Sun 2 Nov 2025
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Friday 31 Oct β Frights you can schedule
Spotlight nudge: Best costume you actually can walk in. Capes beat six-foot inflatable dinosaurs on stairs. |
Saturday 1 Nov β Boom night
Spotlight tip: Arrive 30β40 mins early for Yaxley. Field fills, car parks donβt expand. |
Sunday 2 Nov β Flares & fresh air
One-line outlook: Saturday is your golden window; Sundayβs calmerβideal for regrouping (and reheating leftovers). |
Text SectionYour pics, your shout: Tag #SpotlightSpooks on Instagram or reply with your best fireworks snap β top three go in next weekβs gallery. |
How’s Peterborough doing this week? |
π 2.3 % β Local unemployment rate (ONS Q3 2025)
π Β£242,800 β Average sold property price (Zoopla 12-month rolling)
π· 6.7 % β Annual UK inflation
β½ Β£1.47/litre petrol, Β£1.52/litre diesel (RAC Fuel Watch Oct 2025)
. π‘οΈ 12 Β°C β Average daytime high this week
π¬ Β£15.99 β Cost of a first-class stamp book (12-pack)
π‘ Spotlight take:
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Because a bargain feels better than a latte |
π§Ύ Warm Home Discount 2025/26 β Β£150 credit on winter energy bills for eligible households. Apply via your supplier before 31 Jan.
π½οΈ Tesco Clubcard boosts β Exchange points for double value at Pizza Express, Bella Italia & Zizzi until 5 Nov.
π± SIM-only bargain β Lebara 12 GB data, unlimited calls/texts, Β£7 per month (no contract, Vodafone network).
π Aldi Super 6 (31 Oct β 6 Nov) β six fruit & veg picks under 59p: carrots, broccoli, pears, peppers, sweetcorn and onions.
π LNER Advance Fares β Christmas sale now live β save up to 60 % if booked before 15 Nov.
π§₯ Uniqlo Winter Warm Week β 10 % off HeatTech basics until 4 Nov .
β Costa App Reward β Free drink after four scans through 10 Nov (national app offer).
Sally says: βCollect stamps, not calories β then pretend itβs βself-careβ.β
Our Spotlight take: Stack the points, grab the discounts, and beat the bills by being the smug one who checked before buying. |
Your Cash Radar for Nov 2025 |
The UK economy is doing that familiar double-take: βThings canβt stay this sluggishβ¦ can they?β
1οΈβ£ Slow Growth, Tight Pockets
Expect the Chancellor to be cautious in the 26 Nov Autumn Budget β with whispers of council-tax tweaks and pension changes.
2οΈβ£ Budget Buzz
3οΈβ£ Tempting but Tricky Returns
π‘ Spotlight Take:
π Want more practical money moves?
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Hydration Nation: why your skin’s crying out for comfort this autumn” |
When the heating clicks on, so does the annual skin mutiny dry patches, dull tone, and that βtight faceβ feeling that not even three coffees can fix.
Dermatologists call it barrier breakdown; the rest of us call it βI need a facialβ. The science bit: Central heating and colder air pull moisture from the skin faster than you can scroll Instagram.
The NHS Skin Health Hub suggests keeping indoor temps around 19 Β°C and using ceramide-based moisturisers twice daily.
Translation: less money on makeup, more on moisture.
The trend: Beauty editors are calling 2025 βthe year of the barrier balm.β Boots reports sales of hydrating serums up 42 % since September β think CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, and The Ordinary.
The local touch: Peterborough salons are already leaning in β The Beauty Room (Whittlesey) and Luxe Skin Clinic (Westgate) have both added βhydration recoveryβ facials this month.
π§ Spotlight tip:
Tell us what your local salon offers and we can spread the word contact us at hello@peterboroughspotlight.co.uk or drop a message on our Facebook page
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The Brewery Tap: Where the Beer (and the Buzz) Never Runs Dry |
When locals start listing the pubs in Westgate they used to go to, a few names always come up β the Six Bells (better remembered as the Rat & Carrot), the Wortley Arms, which survived three centuries before closing in 2022, and the Royal, which became the Banyan Tree and has now been reborn as The Lotus.
But one name always finishes the list: The Brewery Tap.
Housed in the cityβs old labour exchange on Westgate, itβs part time capsule, part Thai restaurant, and part weekend living room for half of Peterborough.
Run by the Oakham Ales team, itβs still the only place in town where your pint might have been brewed ten metres from your barstool.
The menu?
Regulars say the green curryβs still got it; newcomers blink at the disco ball above their noodles.
Prices have crept up (what hasnβt?), but few complain once the first sip lands.
π Westgate, Peterborough β open late weekends
Are you a local business with staying power β or a comeback story worth sharing?
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If October felt like a blur of drizzle and deadlines, Novemberβs promising the same β just brighter at night.
Mortgage rates may still bite, but thereβs a little calm in the air β and a lot of mulled wine on the horizon.
So light the log burner, hide the heating bill, and brace yourself for fireworks both literal and political.
Stay warm, stay witty, and keep your eyes on the small wins β like the rare moment when your broadband actually works through a storm. |
1οΈβ£ Best place for a Friday pint right now? β Brewery Tap, Drapers Arms, or somewhere new?
Comment on Facebook or hit reply β the funniest answers make next weekβs spotlight! |
Peterborough Spotlight Β· Trail Blaze Local
π¬ Opinions quoted reflect contributorsβ own views. Β© 2025 Trail Blaze Media Solutions Ltd Β· All Rights Reserved. |