Welcome To Spotlight

Good morning, Peterborough — and welcome to another week of juggling umbrellas, life admin, and the kids’ sudden refusal to wear coats “because it’s not that cold.”

If you’ve spent the past few days dodging puddles in Cathedral Square, bribing children with hot chocolate, or taking a “two-minute sanity break” at Ferry Meadows that somehow turned into twenty, you’re one of us.

This week’s issue is packed with pure Spotlight energy — the neighbour who treats unblocking drains like a competitive sport, the café that slips you an extra biscuit (because they can tell you’re this close), the school choir rehearsing carols in a pitch only dogs can hear, and the usual lonely glove perched somewhere looking dramatic.

So grab something warm, hide from reality for five minutes, and let’s wander through the stories, smiles, and small wins that make Peterborough feel like that wonderfully chaotic friend you can’t help but love — even when it's raining sideways.

Community Voices — Everyday Heroes & Local Legends

Peterborough’s “challenge queen” is back — and she’s taking 2025 by the ponytail

If you’ve ever wondered what sheer determination looks like, picture Liza Raby — salon owner, mum, fundraiser, and all-round force of nature — lacing up her trainers at 6am, muttering “right then” like she’s about to wrestle the entire month into submission.

Liza, the heart behind Spencer’s Salon in Peterborough and LH Hair Design in Bourne, has already raised over £170,000 for local causes — most of it powered by equal parts chaos, kindness, and caffeine.

Inspired by her son Spencer, who has UPF3B syndrome and several complex conditions, she’s turned fundraising into something between a mission and a personality trait.

Now she’s launching “Challenge 12” one charity challenge every month throughout 2025.

Ice dips. Danceathons. A suspiciously enthusiastic conga around Ferry Meadows. A 12-hour sponsored silence in the salon (a beautiful nod to Spencer’s non-verbal communication).

And yes, a parachute jump later in the year, because apparently heights are “character-building.”

She recruits helpers like it’s a military operation:
“You. Gloves. Saturday. Don’t ask questions.”

Locals adore her because she’s that perfect blend of warm chaos and “oh go on then” energy that somehow gets the whole city smiling. One supporter summed her up perfectly:

“If enthusiasm was a power source, Liza would light up Cathedral Square.”

Whether you join in, cheer from the sidelines, or simply feel exhausted reading her list, Liza is proof that Peterborough’s biggest superpower is still its people especially the ones who make fundraising feel like a slightly unhinged girls’ weekend with a very good heart.

Neighbourhood Notes — Small Wonders & Street Smiles

The Dogsthorpe sunflower that absolutely refused to behave

Every street has that one overachiever and this month, it wasn’t a person, it was a sunflower on Dogsthorpe Road that decided it was done with being average.

It started life as a perfectly innocent school project.

A bit of soil, a hopeful child, and a yoghurt pot.

By July it was impressive. By August it was dramatic. By September it was leaning over the fence like a nosey neighbour asking if the bins were out yet.

Locals began leaving Post-it notes of encouragement (“you’re smashing it, petal!”), someone tied a ribbon round the stem for moral support, and eventually the owner surrendered and propped it up with a broom handle that has absolutely seen better days.

One passer-by said it looked like the sunflower was “trying to escape to Central Park for a better life,” while another swore it was taller than their cousin.

No official measurements were taken we’re going on pure neighbourhood gossip, which is far more entertaining anyway.

Now it’s gently drooping for winter, earning a well-deserved rest after its several months of being the most famous resident of Dogsthorpe Road.

Proof, once again, that Peterborough doesn’t need big headlines we’ll happily rally behind a rebellious sunflower with commitment issues.

What’s On — Seasonal Out & About

Cosy chaos, cocoa, and “don’t fall in” vibes at Ferry Meadows this month

If you’ve been craving a reason to leave the house that isn’t work, kids, or running out of milk again, Ferry Meadows has stepped up like the reliable best friend it is.

And yes the magic doesn’t happen in the fields.

 It happens in the warm, bustling hubs dotted around the park.

Over at the Lakeside Centre, they’re running candle-making workshops that smell like Christmas in a jar.

Near the Discovery Den, Nature Tots sessions are turning tiny humans into delightful mud-covered explorers (bring wipes… and snacks).

And for the brave souls insisting winter watersports are “good for the soul,” the Watersports Centre at Gunwade Lake is very much open — with paddleboarding and kayaking sessions that absolutely require a sense of humour and a towel.

One organiser summed it up perfectly:

“If it involves woolly hats, warm drinks, or someone squealing near the water, it’s happening here this month.”

Families, couples, dog-walkers, and people who just needed a break from laundry are all showing up proving Peterborough can do cosy season without a log cabin or a lifestyle blog.

Local Business Spotlight — Independent & Inspired

Hair today, calm tomorrow — why Studio 74 is Peterborough’s unofficial reset button

Some salons do cuts.

Some do colour. Studio 74 on Gunthorpe Road does something far more valuable: a complete emotional reboot in under an hour.

Walk in frazzled, walk out feeling like you’ve filed your taxes, organised your life, and remembered who you were before your to-do list took over.

The team has mastered that warm, “you’re safe here” energy that somehow relaxes you before you even sit down.

The stylists aren’t just talented — they’ve got that magical ability to read your vibe instantly.

Want quiet?

They give you peaceful, magazine-flipping serenity.

Want a life debrief?

They hand you a coffee and lean in like you’re about to reveal chapter three of a thriller.

One regular told us,

“I booked a trim. I left emotionally repaired.”

The place has become a favourite for women who want more than hair — they want headspace, humour, and that delicious moment when the blow-dry hits just right and you suddenly remember you are that girl.

With friendly prices, easy parking, and a team who genuinely seem to like each other (you can feel it), Studio 74 is the kind of local business that makes you think, “Yes. This is why supporting independents feels good.”

Property Pulse — Local Market Snapshot

House prices dip, breathing room returns — and everyone’s quietly nosey again

If you’ve recently found yourself browsing Rightmove “just for fun” while pretending to watch TV, congratulations: you’re officially part of Peterborough’s favourite winter sport.

And there’s good news the local market has finally stopped doing gymnastics.

Here’s how the city’s big three neighbourhoods are behaving this month:

🏡 Hampton – Lakes, schools, and iced-latte energy

£264,750 average sold price (last 12 months)

Down 12% year-on-year which sounds dramatic, but really just means families who’ve been priced out for two years are suddenly eyeing up driveways again.

Detached homes still lead the way, semis and terraces remain snapped up by “we want the lifestyle but not the stress” buyers.

Spotlight take: Still one of the most aspirational corners of the city — just a little less shouty about it this year

🏡 Werrington – Parks, proper suburbs, and that calm auntie energy

£243,403 average sold price

Down 6% year-on-year enough to soften things, not enough to panic anyone.

Classic semis are the sweet spot here: good gardens, sensible layouts, and the type of streets where people actually say good morning.

Spotlight take: Quiet confidence and good value. Like the friend who never makes drama but always has snacks.

🏡 Stanground – PE2 convenience with room to breathe

£232,855 average sold price

Down just 3% — the steadiest of the three.

Terraced homes under £200k continue to pull in first-timers and downsizers who want city access without the heart palpitations.

Spotlight take: The most balanced cup of tea in the city. Not too hot, not too cold, just dependable.

Renting roundup

The East of England is seeing rents rise around 4.7% year-on-year, but the frantic bidding wars of early 2025 have cooled.

Landlords are still confident. Renters can finally breathe again.

Everyone is slightly less stressed which feels like a Christmas miracle.

Home Life — Smart Comfort & Local Living

Little winter fixes that make your home feel richer (without spending a fortune)

With the cold creeping in and energy prices behaving like they’re auditioning for a soap opera.

Peterborough households are quietly becoming DIY geniuses not the “knock down a wall” kind, but the sensible, “I want to feel cosy without crying at my smart meter” kind.

Here are the upgrades locals are actually doing this month (and yes, they work):

🪟 1. Thermal curtains — the unsung heroes

TikTok can keep its elaborate hacks. Peterborough mums are simply buying thick curtains, closing them properly, and saving more heat than a £300 fan heater.

Bonus: they make any living room look instantly more “I’ve got my life together.”

🔧 2. Draft stoppers — but make them cute

The Green Backyard’s Saturday workshops have people sewing draft snakes that look suspiciously like home décor. Who knew stopping cold air could feel this wholesome?

🔌 3. Smart radiator valves — the gadget even dads approve of

Set the bedroom to warm at 6am, the living room at 6pm, and the utility room to “you’re lucky you exist.” They’re tiny, they’re clever, and they stop you heating rooms nobody actually uses.

💡 4. Warm-tone LED bulbs — instant cosy in 5 seconds

A fiver from Blue Diamond and suddenly your home looks like a Pinterest board filmed in soft focus.

No effort. Big vibes.

One Werrington reader told us, “My house isn’t any bigger, but it suddenly feels friendlier.”
And that’s the magic — tiny tweaks, happier home.

Smart Savers — Money Made Manageable

Three quiet money wins Peterborough households are nabbing this month (and yes, they work) thanks to our budget slashing expert Sally.

If the cost of living has taught us anything, it’s that the real financial gurus are the people quietly shaving pounds off their bills between school runs, Zoom calls, and hunting for missing gloves.

Here are the three little wins locals are talking about — zero drama, maximum “I’m a genius” energy:

💳 1. The Direct-Debit Detox

You know that moment when you check your bank app and think,
“Who on earth is taking £7.99 from me every month?”

Turns out most households can save £15–£25 a month just by cancelling forgotten apps, duplicate streamers, or those “free trials” that are now older than your dog.

🔋 2. The Energy Grant Five-Minute Miracle

Peterborough families are jumping on the Household Support Fund and Warm Home Discount reopening this month.

The forms take less time than scrolling Instagram, and the funds disappear fast but the savings? Lovely.

⏰ 3. The Off-Peak Shuffle

Smart-meter owners are rediscovering the thrill of running the washing machine at 9:01pm like they’re outsmarting the system.

A few pounds a week adds up, and honestly, we support the smugness.

One Stanground mum summed it up perfectly:

“I haven’t gone full spreadsheet yet… but I do feel like I’m beating the toaster.”

And honestly?

That is absolutely the level of financial expertise we’re aiming for this winter.

Food & Drink — Locals We Love

The Dirt Box: the food truck turning Cathedral Square lunches into a full-blown mood

If there’s one thing Peterborough does well, it’s comfort food with feelings.

And The Dirt Box  food truck on Cathedral Square has basically become therapy but with melted cheese.

You’ll smell it before you see it: sizzling smash-burgers, scandalously loaded fries, and that mysterious house sauce that absolutely should be bottled and sold as a coping mechanism.

 Lunchtime queues now look like a support group where everyone’s just waiting for their turn to feel joy again.

Run by a local team who clearly love what they do, The Dirt Box started as a weekend pop-up and now has office workers, mums, students and builders all lining up like it’s a pilgrimage.

One woman told us she goes “for the fries and the five minutes of peace where nobody asks me for anything.”

Relatable sure...

A regular was overheard whispering:

“This is the only meeting I look forward to on a Monday.”

We don’t blame them. It’s messy, it’s marvellous, and it has that wonderful “I deserve this” energy that just hits different on a cold day in Cathedral Square.

Events — What’s Coming Up?

Cosy chaos, cocktails, crafts & “finally something different” energy

Peterborough has quietly dropped some seriously fun events this month — and none of them involve queueing at the same old venues. Finally.

Bijou Bar — Christmas Cocktail Masterclass (Bridge Street)

Actual grown-up fun.

Perfect for mums’ nights, date nights, or anyone who needs a break from glitter-covered school projects.

Shake, stir, sip, and pretend you run a speakeasy.

Spotlight tip: Eat first. Trust us.

Country Garden Florist — Festive Wreath Workshop (The Studio Grove House)

Small group, gorgeous materials, and the kind of workshop where everyone instantly becomes best friends.

No experience needed just enthusiasm and the ability to drink prosecco while crafting.

Spotlight tip: Your hallway will smell like a very organised woodland.

Nene Park — Guided Winter Cycling Tours

Not your typical “walk around the lake” routine.

This one’s on bikes with a guide who actually knows things. Flat route, pretty views, and surprisingly calming.

Spotlight tip: Wear layers. The kind you can unzip when you inevitably get competitive.

🎶 Charters Bar — Live Music on the Barge (Town Bridge)

Cosy lighting, river views, and the only place in Peterborough where you can say “I’m spending the evening on a boat” without anyone blinking. Local bands, great atmosphere, warm winter energy.

Spotlight tip: Go early for the best seats — the boat fills up fast.

Arts & Culture — Creative Nights by the Nene

Peterborough’s hidden arts scene is having a moment and it’s surprisingly fabulous

If you thought the local arts scene was all “big venues and big shows,” you’re missing the fun stuff  the cosy, quirky, brilliantly creative spaces that give Peterborough its heartbeat.

Metal Culture – Open Studios & Artist Showcases (Chauffeurs Cottage, St Peter’s Road)

One of the city’s best-kept secrets.

Wander in, chat to resident artists, peek at work-in-progress, and pretend you’re the kind of person who casually buys original art on a Thursday.

Expect ceramics, printmaking, textiles, and the occasional “what is that… but in a good way” installation.

Art in the Heart Pop-Ups — Independent Makers & Micro-Exhibitions

The original gallery may have closed, but the brand lives on with small, curated pop-up events featuring local artists and makers.

Perfect for discovering affordable art, handmade gifts, and the kind of pieces that make visitors say, “Ooh where did you get that?”

Peterborough Library – Evening Book Club & Local Writer Nights (Broadway)

The newly refreshed library is suddenly the place for relaxed literary evenings.

Think cosy chairs, new authors, warm lighting, and people pretending they’ve read more than the first three chapters (no judgement).

Charters “Unplugged Sessions” — Acoustic Nights on the Barge

Live acoustic sets in a floating pub with fairy lights, soft seating, and river views?

Yes please.

It’s intimate, atmospheric, and the kind of night that makes you remember you actually enjoy leaving the house.

Local Voices — Reflections from the Heart

Why Peterborough still feels like a small city with a big hug

Every now and then, Peterborough surprises you in the softest ways — not with grand gestures or huge headlines, but with everyday moments that stick.

Like the woman outside the Broadway charity shop who held a stranger’s umbrella while they wrestled with a stubborn buggy.

Or the man on Lincoln Road who stopped traffic with one hand just so an elderly shopper could cross safely with her trolley.

Or the group of mums in Hampton who’ve started a “porch swap” WhatsApp baby clothes, spare biscuits, the odd emergency Calpol drop.

These aren’t organised. They’re not funded. They’re not even talked about much.

But they happen every single day tiny acts of care that keep this city feeling like a village with a bigger postcode.

One reader put it beautifully:

“I don’t know everyone here, but I never feel on my own.”

And honestly? 

That’s the real magic of living here.

Not the buildings, not the shops the people who fix your day without even knowing it.

Got a little moment of kindness in your street this week?

Tell us we love sharing the good stuff.

Green Scene — Nature & Neighbourhood Care

Peterborough’s robins are having a moment and honestly, same

You can always tell when winter hits Peterborough because the city’s robins suddenly behave like they own the place.

In Central Park, they’re basically posing for photos. In Bretton woods, they’re following dog walkers like unpaid security guards.

And down by Orton Mere, one particularly bold robin has been spotted sitting on a ranger’s boot like it’s claiming tenancy.

But the real stars right now are the volunteers doing the quiet, muddy graft that keeps our green spaces… well, green.

The Friends of Central Park have been clearing leaves, refreshing borders and rescuing flowerbeds from wilting dignity.

Over in Thorpe Meadows, the rowing-lake path has had a tidy-up thanks to a team who genuinely describe this as “relaxing.”

A North Bretton reader told us:

“I only went out for a walk. I ended up helping prune a shrub I didn’t even own.”

That’s peak Peterborough.

It’s wholesome, it’s outdoorsy, it’s free and it counts as exercise even if you mainly stood around pointing at things.

Got a favourite walking spot or a local nature group we should shout out next week? Send it our way — we love highlighting the people who keep the city blooming

Schools & Young Voices — Learning That Lasts

Traffic lights for schools?

Peterborough parents are buzzing — and not all for good reasons

Ofsted has finally admitted the old one-word grades (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate) caused more chaos than clarity.

So now they’re switching to a traffic-light-style report card more detail, less drama, supposedly more “fair.”

But in Peterborough, where choosing a school can feel like applying to MI5, parents have opinions. Strong ones.

At the school gates this week, you’d think Ofsted had announced free iPads.

Aisha, mum of two in Gladstone, laughed:

“So instead of ‘Good’, we now get ‘Mostly Good But Could Try Harder’? Great. Sounds like my husband.”

Charlotte, from Hampton, wasn’t convinced:

“If they make everything green or amber, how am I supposed to know where to panic?”

Raj, a dad in Dogsthorpe, had the spiciest take:

“They just don’t want head teachers crying on TV anymore. They want everyone ‘on a journey’. Even if the journey is… wobbly.”

Meanwhile teachers quietly mutter (off the record, obviously):

“More paperwork. Lovely.”

Here’s the thing: the new system could actually help.

It promises nuance, context, less fear, and more support.

But it also means fewer dramatic labels so picking a school might soon feel like reading the world’s longest restaurant review:

• “Mostly positive.”

• “Good atmosphere.”

• “Could improve consistency.”

• “Leadership spicy but promising.”

•  

And you’re still left thinking: Do I book or not?!

In a city as multicultural and fast-growing as ours, clarity matters.
Parents don’t want a traffic light.

They want a direction.

Whether this new system delivers that?

Well… we’ll be gossiping about it at the school gates until 2026.

What do YOU think of the new Ofsted system — breath of fresh air or just new paint on the same fence?

Hit reply and tell us.

We’ll feature the best comments (no names, promise).

Health & Wellbeing — Local Life Balance

The Great Peterborough Winter Health Panic: colds, candles & questionable advice from group chats

Every year around this time, Peterborough hits its unofficial fifth season:
“Why is everyone ill again?”

It starts with one sneeze in Sainsbury’s and suddenly entire group chats are panicking like there’s been a city-wide glitter bomb of germs.

In West Town, Mira confessed she’d already bought “winter vitamins for the whole extended family,” including her neighbour’s dog (we assume she was joking).

Over in Orton Southgate, Gemma admitted she’s now steaming her face over a bowl of Vicks “because my nan can’t be wrong about everything.”

And Samir from Eastfield said he’s drinking lemon and ginger like he’s training for a citrus-based marathon.

Meanwhile, local pharmacies say demand for tissues, honey and paracetamol has quietly gone… well, bananas.

One pharmacist whispered to us,

“We’re basically running a support group at this point.”

But here’s the real winter wellbeing news:

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s not about miracle cures.
It’s about doing the small, manageable things getting outside for ten minutes of daylight, not living on beige freezer food, and ignoring advice from that one auntie who forwards “health hacks” at 1am.

As one mum in Gunthorpe told us,

“If we get through winter without someone licking a trolley handle, that’s a win.”

Got a winter survival tip that actually works? Share it with us — we’ll round up the best ones (and gently expose the worst).

Business & Money — Local Economy in Real Life

The Peterborough Side-Hustle Boom: why everyone seems to be “selling something on the side”

If you’ve noticed more people in Peterborough casually mentioning “my little side business,” you’re not imagining it — the city is having a full-blown micro-entrepreneurial moment.

And honestly? It’s kind of iconic.

In Walton, Priya has started a cake-box empire out of her kitchen and now gets more WhatsApp messages than the average MP.

Daniel in Orton Malborne is fixing laptops “just to help mates out” except his mates seem to have multiplied into half the postcode.

And Megan from Paston has turned her candle-making hobby into something that smells like it belongs in John Lewis.

Local experts say Peterborough is one of the cities seeing the fastest growth in sole traders and micro-business registrations this year.

Blame the cost of living, creativity, social media or pure “why not?”

It’s also changing the way the city shops:

• More people buying from local pop-ups and makers

• More weekend craft markets

• More WhatsApp groups turning into full marketplaces

• More small businesses turning into actual businesses

•  

One local accountant told us (off the record, of course):

“I’ve never filed so many returns for ‘just a little thing I started in lockdown’.”

It’s entrepreneurial.

It’s chaotic.

It’s very Peterborough.

Honestly, it’s good news: money staying local, skills being shared, and women leading a huge chunk of the city’s creative side-hustle growth.

Running a local side-hustle you’re proud of? Tell us — we love highlighting the independents powering Peterborough’s economy.

Work & Career — Local Opportunity Pulse

The “quiet quitting” of 2025: Peterborough workers are choosing sanity over burnout (finally)

Something’s shifting in Peterborough workplaces and no, it’s not just the new coffee machine in the staff room that tastes suspiciously like disappointment.

People are… calming down.

Soft-quitting the stress.

Reclaiming weekends.

Saying “no” without writing a 600-word apology afterwards.

In Fengate, Louise quietly moved her lunch break back to lunchtime — not 3:15pm when the chaos finally settled.

Over in Orton, Farid told his boss he wasn’t available on WhatsApp after 7pm, and lived to tell the tale.

And Jasmine, who works hybrid between home and a Bretton office, now takes a 15-minute daylight walk every single morning “just so I remember what the sun looks like.”

A recruitment manager in the city put it this way:

“People want good money, yes — but they also want their evenings back. Balance is the new bonus.”

It’s not laziness. It’s not rebellion.

It’s a cultural reset and Peterborough seems to be right at the heart of it:

• More workers choosing four-day weeks

•  

• More mums returning to work on their terms

•  

• More people discovering “boundary-setting” (turns out it’s legal!)

•  

• And a surprising rise in job seekers prioritising office vibe over salary alone

•  

Even local employers are adapting.

One HR lead in the city said,

“Happy staff stay. Exhausted staff leave. It’s not rocket science.”

2025 is shaping up to be the year Peterborough treats work like it’s supposed to be:

Part of your life — not your entire personality.

Got a flexible job, a brilliant boss, or workplace perk Peterborough should know about? Tell us we love shouting out employers who actually get it.

Innovation & Bright Ideas — Quick Spark Editio

The Peterborough Gadget That’s Quietly Saving Everyone’s Sanity

If you’ve noticed half the city suddenly obsessed with tiny trackers clipped to keys, bags, scooters, water bottles and in one case a hamster cage…

you’re not imagining it.

Peterborough has embraced Bluetooth trackers like they’re emotional support animals.

Why?

Because people are done losing things.

• Mums in Hampton are clipping them to school bags because “if Liam leaves it on the bus again, I’ll actually combust.”

•  

• Cyclists in Orton are hiding them under seats as a “just in case” move that feels almost spy-like.

•  

• One dad in Werrington admitted he put one on his remote control and has “never known such peace.”

•  

Tech shops in Queensgate say sales have spiked since September quietly becoming one of the most popular “don’t lose your life” gadgets in the city. Amazon declined to comment!

It’s small.

It’s clever.

And it’s saving arguments in households across Peterborough on a daily basis.

Got a gadget that’s changed your daily life? Tell us — we love a good local hack.

Smart Money — The “What Does a 0.5% Rate Change Actually Mean?”

Mortgage rates moved again (not this time)— here’s the calm, human explanation of what it means and should you be panicking?

If mortgage news gives you the same feeling as assembling IKEA furniture, here’s the simple version Peterborough actually wants:

A 0.5% rise or fall on a typical £180,000 mortgage (standard here for a 3-bed semi) equals roughly:

• Up 0.5%: about £55–£70 more per month

•  

• Down 0.5%: about £55–£70 less per month

•  

That’s it.

Not doom.

Not euphoria.

Just… “there goes Netflix” or “hello, takeaway night.”

And remember:

Most people are still on fixed deals what matters is when yours ends, not whatever headline is trending.

Want us to break down another money ‘mystery’ in human language? Tell us — we love a de-jargon challenge. If you are thinking of moving or just shifting to a new deal speak to a local broker to see what's available.

You can also sign up for our FREE local money newsletters for regular information.

General Money and Investment News

https://peterborough.smartmoneynews.co.uk

Homesellers and Home Buyers

https://peterborough.homesellerinsider.co.uk

Looking At Property For Investment

https://peterborough.propertyinvestorinsider.co.uk

Thinking Of Renting or Co Living 

https://peterborough.smartpropertynews.co.uk

Real Life Money — Student Loans Without the Drama

PSA: You only repay when you earn enough and most parents and graduates forget this

If you’ve got a teen looking at university — or one already there — or even a post graduate here’s a reminder that stops 90% of family arguments:

You do not start repaying a student loan
until you earn over the threshold

(which is currently around £25k–£27k, depending on the plan).

Not a penny before that.

Not even if you feel guilty.

Not even if Aunt Linda in Dogsthorpe claims it’s “like a mortgage” (it isn’t).

And here’s the best bit:

If your child never reaches the threshold consistently, or only earns modestly, they may repay little or nothing before the loan is cleared automatically after 30+ years.

It is not a normal debt.

It’s more like a graduate tax that only kicks in when life is stable enough to handle it.

So breathe.

It’s fine.

Got a money myth you want busted? Hit reply or post on our Facebook we’ll clear it up, no judgement.

If you'd like weekly updates on Smart Money management and investing check out our  FREE local Smart Money News

Paws & Whiskers — Pet Tip of the Week

The 3-Second Collar Check Every Dog Owner Should Do This Winter

Here’s a tiny tip that local vets and both Woodgreen and the RSPCA — quietly swear by:

You should always be able to slide two fingers under your dog’s collar.

No more, no less.

 

Winter coats fluff up, dogs gain a little festive weight (same), and suddenly collars get too tight without anyone noticing.

Rescue staff say this is one of the top preventable issues they see all winter long.

Too-tight collars can cause:

• rashes

• matting

• restricted swallowing

• stress behaviours

• and in some cases, breathing issues

•  

A quick weekly check prevents all of it  takes three seconds, saves a world of discomfort for your four-legged chaos machine.

And if your heart has room for one more good deed:

• Woodgreen Pets Charity currently has several older dogs (and a few chunky cats) looking for warm, calm homes.

•  

• The RSPCA Leicestershire, Peterborough & Rutland Branch is especially busy after intake spikes this autumn even donations of old towels and blankets help massively.

Family & Kids — Parent Life & Play

Soft-play season is officially back — and Peterborough parents are… coping

It’s that time of year again.

The rain arrives. The parks get soggy. The scooters go into hibernation.
And suddenly Peterborough parents must enter the arena known as soft play.

This week, the city’s top “please let them burn energy” spots have been buzzing:

Safari Play (Marquis Drive, PE1)
The penthouse of soft play huge slides, massive frames, and a café that understands parents on a spiritual level.

One mum told us,

“I didn’t sit down once. My Fitbit thinks I climbed Everest.”

Big Sky Soft Play & Party Centre (Orton Longueville, PE2)

Bright, clean, huge, and beloved for parties. The under-5 area might actually save lives during the school holidays.

As one dad confessed,

“I’ve spent so much time here I should start paying council tax.”

  The Playbarn at Sacrewell — warm, clean, organised… and crucially, good coffee. Praise be.

Activity World (Boongate, PE1)

One of the largest playframes in the region.

Kids disappear into it, reappear 20 minutes later with hair static enough to power Queensgate.

A parent from Fletton said,

“I saw my child four times in two hours. Bliss.”

And let’s be honest:

Soft play isn’t about the slides.

It’s about survival, solidarity, and that silent nod between parents that says,

“If your child licks that window, I never saw it.”

or

“We’re all doing our best.”

Other Parent Verdicts of the Week:

• Sara, Paston: “It’s like doing cardio in a padded room.”

•  

• Hannah, Orton: “I don’t remember booking the 90-minute session, but here we are.”

•  

• Bilal, Westwood: “I’ve accepted I’ll never leave with the same number of socks.”

•  

And honestly?

If the kids leave smiling and everyone naps afterwards… that’s a win.

Got a rainy-day hero we should feature next week? Tell us — every parent needs one.

Home & Garden — Little Corners, Big Comfort

The Peterborough “cosy corner” trend — and why everyone suddenly wants one

If your social feeds look anything like ours, Peterborough has quietly entered its cosy corner era.

And honestly? It makes perfect sense.

It began in Hampton and Yaxley and drifted across to Dogsthorpe, Stanground, Werrington, and just about everywhere else:

People are transforming one tiny patch of their home into:

• a reading nook

• a plant sanctuary

• a quiet coffee moment

• or, let’s be honest… a place to escape the household for five blessed minutes

•  

Why this is catching on:

1. It’s inexpensive.
2. 
   One lamp, a blanket, one almost-alive plant — done.
3.  

2. It feels like breathing space.

As Rachel from Cardea said,

“I get seven uninterrupted minutes a day in mine — and I guard them with my life.”

3. Winter feels softer when you choose your lighting.

Warm lamps are basically mood medicine.

4. It’s a project that doesn’t require an engineering degree.

No flatpack, no drills, no swearing at screws that don’t fit.

Some households are going all-in with layered textiles and candles.

Others?

A beanbag and a mug warmer. Still counts.

A tiny corner that feels yours is sometimes all you need to reset.

Life & Style — Christmas Prep Without the Meltdown

The Peterborough “wrap & chat” trend — making Christmas jobs actually fun this year

Somewhere between the Black Friday panic and the annual hunt for last year’s gift tags,

Peterborough has quietly invented a new December tradition:

The “wrap & chat.”

You grab a friend possibly a bottle of wine, a bag of presents, a roll of tape, and absolutely no judgement and suddenly Christmas prep feels… almost enjoyable?

Locals are already embracing it:

🎁 Anna in Stanground swears by “wrap-swapping”:

“I do her awkward uncle gifts, she does my nieces’ glitter mountain stuff. We’re done in half the time.”

🎄 Maria from Bretton turned her dining table into a “wrapping station,” complete with hot chocolate and a playlist she claims is “festive, not feral.”

The vibe?

Cosy chaos — but in a good way.

📦 Shivani in Walton has a genius rule:

“If the paper tears or the shape is impossible, put a bow on it and move on with your life.”

And honestly?

This is the kind of Christmas energy we support  realistic, joyful, shared, and free of the pressure to make every present look like it came from an influencer’s Pinterest board.

Because the truth is:

Kids tear the paper in 0.8 seconds.

Adults care more about biscuits.

And the people who love you just want you to survive December.

Got a favourite local shop for cards, wrap or stocking fillers? Tell us — we love spotlighting the independents doing Christmas right.

That's All For This Week Folks

That’s a wrap on this week’s Peterborough Spotlight

If you made it this far, you’ve survived soft-play season, winter cold panic, gift-wrapping chaos, school-gate gossip and a robin with too much confidence.

Honestly?

You deserve a medal… or at least a quiet cup of tea before someone shouts, “Muuuuum!”

Peterborough shines brightest in winter — not because of the lights (though they help), but because of the little things:

• shared kindness

•  

• small wins

•  

• local businesses trying their best

•  

• parents improvising their way through December

•  

• and people who always know the best places to go, eat or hide

•  

Thanks for being part of that.

You’re the reason this newsletter feels like a conversation, not a broadcast.

Want to share something lovely, funny, useful or mildly chaotic for next week’s issue?

Just hit reply — you know we read every message.

See you next week, Peterborough.

Same time, same Spotlight warmth. 💛c