Peterborough’s Flying.” OK — Who Exactly Is Flying

You’ll hear it everywhere.

“Our City’s booming.”

“Loads going on.”

“Best place to be.” (ok may be pushing it a bit lol)

But ask three people and you’ll get three different answers.

Ask a bricklayer in Yaxley and he’ll tell you he could take two more jobs tomorrow.

Ask someone renting near Lincoln Road and they’ll tell you they lost a flat because someone offered a holding deposit within 20 minutes.

Ask a seller in Werrington who overpriced by £15k and they’ll tell you viewings slowed fast.

Same city.

3 Different outcomes.

So instead of saying “Peterborough’s doing well” or “Peterborough’s struggling”…

Let’s be more precise.

Where are people earning more?

Where are bills biting harder?

Where are homes still shifting?

Where are they sticking?

Because this city isn’t one story.

It depends what you do, what you earn, and what you’re trying to move next.

And if you’re not clear on which version you’re living in…

You’re probably reacting instead of planning for the future.

Three Pay Packets. One City. Who’s Actually Winning?

Let’s put numbers on this 

Aaron — Self-Employed Plasterer, Yaxley

Day rate up from £180 to £220.

On paper?

Up nearly £1,000 a month if fully booked.

But:

Van insurance: +£320 a year

Public liability: +£180

Materials: plaster up again

Diesel still stings like a raging hornet!

“Looks like I’m smashing it,” he said.

“Feels like I’m just covering bigger bills.”

He’s earning more.

He’s not relaxing more.

 Priya — NHS Admin, Bretton

Basic salary up 5%.

Council tax up.

Food shop up.

Kids’ clubs up.

Her monthly direct debits are about £140 higher than 2024.

“My payslip says I’ve had a rise,” she laughed.

“My bank balance disagrees.”

Technically better paid.

Emotionally not convinced.

Daniele — Remote IT Contractor, Hampton Vale

Day rate unchanged.

But:

No London train at £60 a day.

No daily lunch out.

No parking stress.

She reckons he’s £400–£500 better off a month purely from not commuting.

“I didn’t get a raise. I just stopped leaking money.”

Same city.

Three wages.

Three totally different outcomes.

So when someone says “Peterborough’s doing well”…

The real question is:

Which pay packet are we talking about?

The £10,000 Pricing Mistake Sellers Are Still Making

Let’s leave Hampton out of the headline for a second.

Across PE7, Cardea edge, and parts of Werrington, we’re seeing the same thing.

Two similar houses.

Same road.

Same square footage.

One priced realistically — gone in under three weeks.

One priced “let’s test it” — reduced after six.

A local estate agent told us ...

“The first fortnight matters more than the next two months.”

Why?

Because buyers now track reductions.

They wait.

They compare.

They negotiate.

And here’s the bit most sellers don’t like hearing:

Overpricing by £10k doesn’t just delay a sale.

It can cost you more than £10k in the end.

Meanwhile renters in Orton are still racing to secure viewings within 24 hours.

Owners are debating strategy.

Renters are scrambling for access.

That contrast says a lot about where housing pressure really sits.

Fletton Quays Flats: The Service Charge Reality Check

Let’s talk specifics.

Two-bed flats around Fletton Quays listed at £210k–£230k.

Buyers’ first question now?

Not kitchen.
Not balcony.
Not river view.

“What’s the service charge?”

One conveyancer told us buyers are scrutinising:

• Annual maintenance fees
• Sinking funds
• Cladding paperwork
• Energy ratings

“Two years ago, people skimmed the pack,” she said.

“Now they read it like a mortgage contract.”

We’ve seen reductions of £5k–£15k on some listings where service charges sit north of £2,000 a year.

That’s not collapse.

That’s reality biting.

If you own a flat and bought during the frenzy, this feels uncomfortable.

If you’re buying now, it feels like power.

Same building.

Different mood.

So here’s the awkward question:

Are you pricing for nostalgia…

or pricing for 2026?

Side Note: Service charges often start unrealistically low to entice buyers.

But a change of management company or just poor management can see rises exceeding 10% per annum in some locations. 

One local development we were told about in the city has seen service charges treble in less than 10 years. 

Unfortunately this often followed by a drop in standards.

Is your development one of those who have seen rapid increases well above the rate of inflation?

The £300 “I’ll Do It Later” Mistake That’s Costing People Now

Mark in Werrington ignored his car insurance renewal email.

It auto-renewed £312 higher than comparison sites were showing.

“I meant to check it,” he said.

“I just didn’t.”

Here’s the bit most people don’t realise.

According to Money Saving Expert’s guidance (Martin Lewis has hammered this for years), the sweet spot to renew car insurance is around 21–26 days before renewal.

Not the day before.

Not the week of expiry.

About three weeks out.

Why?

Because insurers’ pricing algorithms tend to reward early planners and penalise last-minute renewals.

Claire in Orton Goldhay renewed on the day last year.

This year she set a reminder 24 days early.

Difference? £187 cheaper.

That’s not a “budgeting hack."

That’s just timing.

And it’s not just car insurance.

Broadband.

Mobile contracts.

Home insurance.

Companies rely on you being busy.

Before you think about investments or side hustles…

Set a reminder 25 days before your renewal date.

That one calendar alert could be worth more than your ISA interest this year.

Be honest — when does yours renew?

Gripe Of The Week: If you don't renew your Sky contract before it expires you lose all your negotiated discounts and they charge you the full rate imagine going from £65 to £125 all because you forgot to write a reminder in your diary.

The 48-Hour Rental Rule No One Tells You About

If you’re renting in PE1, PE2 or Orton right now, this matters.

Suzanne, who run Y-US lettings, told us something most renters learn too late:

“Good listings are basically gone within 48 hours.”

But here’s the real edge.

New properties often go live midweek Tuesday to Thursday afternoon not Sunday night like people assume.

Which means if you’re browsing casually at the weekend?

You’re already behind.

Marcus, 27, missed out on a two-bed in Fletton because he waited until Saturday to message.

“It had 30 enquiries by then.”

Current rental demand in parts of Peterborough is still outstripping supply especially family homes under £1,200.

So if you’re serious:

• Set Rightmove alerts
• Have ID and payslips ready
• Enquire the same day
• Be flexible on viewing times

It’s not dramatic.

It’s just fast.

Are you browsing… or ready?

If you want the insider track on renting property in Peterborough join our Peterborough Renter Insider newsletter which is packed with helpful advice , tips and our expert professionals.

Mortgage Rates Drop? Here’s Why Waiting Can Cost You

Every time there’s talk of rates easing, the same phrase pops up:

“I’ll wait.”

Will from Talk Mortgages sees it constantly.

“People wait for the perfect rate. Then competition rises and house prices edge up.”

Here’s the bit most buyers miss:

If rates dip even 0.25%, demand increases fast.

More buyers.

More offers.

Less negotiating room.

Last month, a first-time buyer in Cardea locked a rate at 4.9%.

Two weeks later, similar products nudged down slightly but competition for the property had increased.

They didn’t regret moving.

They regretted hesitating before they got advice.

And here’s something else:

Most lenders let you secure a rate and still switch if something better appears before completion.

That’s not widely understood.

So the real question isn’t:

“Are rates perfect?”

It’s:

“Do you actually know what you can borrow right now?”

Because guessing costs more than checking.

EV Chargers: Smart Upgrade or Expensive Ego?

Drive around Hampton Water or Stanground and you’ll spot them.

Wall-mounted EV chargers on new builds.

Here’s the split.

Some buyers see them as essential.

Some see them as pointless if they don’t own an electric car.

A local installer told us:

“Future buyers notice them. Especially under-40s.”

But here’s what matters more than the charger itself:

Off-peak tariff setup.

If you’re charging on a standard daytime rate, you’re wasting money.

Time-of-use EV tariffs can drop overnight electricity to 7–10p per kWh depending on provider.

Without that, the maths weakens.

Check out this useful guide on EV Charging Rates

One Hampton homeowner installed a charger “just in case.”

Now they’re selling and estate agents say it’s helped viewings because it signals “future-ready.”

So is it essential?

No.

Is it increasingly attractive?

Yes.

But only if you understand the tariff side — not just the shiny box.

Five Things Only Peterborough People Say (And Mean)

1️⃣ “It’s only 10 minutes away.”

(Translation: 22 minutes if it’s school run.)

2️⃣ “Avoid Lincoln Road at that time.”

Everyone knows the time. No one agrees on it.

3️⃣ “We’ll just nip to Queensgate.”

No one ever nips to Queensgate 

4️⃣ “It’s fine, I’ll park near the Lido.”

You won’t.

5️⃣ “Peterborough It’s growing.”

Said with pride. Or suspicion. Depends who you ask.

Sophie from Paston summed it up:

“You can tell who’s local by how they pronounce Bretton.”

Your turn.

What’s the most Peterborough sentence you’ve ever heard?

I Thought I Couldn’t Buy Yet.” Turns Out I Could.

This one keeps coming up.

Sophie, 31, renting in Orton Goldhay.

“I assumed I needed £40k saved.”

She didn’t.

With 5% down on a £210,000 property, that’s £10,500.

Still a lot but not mythical.

What shocked her more?

Her mortgage payment estimate came out just £70 more than her rent.

Not cheaper.

Not wildly more expensive.

Just different.

Will at Talk Mortgages says this is the most common mistake:

“People disqualify themselves before checking.”

Some can’t buy.

Some shouldn’t buy.

But some absolutely could — and never ask the question.

And here’s the kicker.

The longer renters wait, the harder saving gets if rent rises again.

So the question isn’t:

“Is now perfect?”

It’s:

“Have you actually run the numbers?”

Because guessing keeps you stuck.

The Side Hustle Line Everyone Crosses Without Noticing

Sorry if we keep banging on about this but we kind of want to hammer the message home. HMRC are not in the mood for being quite as helpful as our advisers so we thought we'd pass on some of their advice.

Lou in Orton Southgate started selling candles on Etsy.

First month: £300.

Third month: £1,100.

Sixth month: £2,000.

“That’s when it stopped being pocket money.”

Here’s what many locals miss:

Once you earn over £1,000 in a tax year from trading, you must register for self-assessment.

Not when it “feels serious.”

Not when you quit your job.

At £1,001.

A local accountant told us:

“Most mistakes aren’t fraud. They’re ignorance.”

The smart move?

• Separate bank account
• Track costs
• Set aside tax immediately

The number of PAYE workers in Peterborough running side income has jumped in the past two years.

From tutors in Werrington.

To dog walkers in Bretton.

To resellers flipping car parts on eBay.

The city isn’t short of earners.

It’s short of people tracking properly.

Are you treating yours like a hobby…

or a business?

You have been warned!!

The After-School Bill That Sneaks Past £200 Before You Notice

Football £25 a month.

Gymnastics £32.

Swimming £35.

Plus kit.
Plus petrol.
Plus tournament “extras.”

Mark from Paston sat down and added it up.

Three kids. Clubs only. £214 a month.

“That’s not birthdays. That’s not trainers. That’s just keeping them active.”

Here’s what families are actually doing:

One term on.
One term off.

Rotating clubs instead of stacking them.

Not because they don’t value it.

Because £200+ a month on activities is real money.

A family worker near Bretton put it bluntly:

“Parents don’t pull kids out because they’re careless. They do it because maths is maths.”

Have you ever added yours up properly?

Or do you just hope it balances when the credit card bill hits?

The Small Business Edge Peterborough Still Has

Here’s something people don’t say enough.

If you open a small unit in Peterborough, your rent is still lower than Cambridge. Often by thousands per year.

Amir, who runs a phone repair stall near Cathedral Square, said it plainly:

“If I tried this in Cambridge, I’d be gone in six months.”

Lower rent.
Lower overhead.
Fewer “boutique expectations.”

That matters.

Vacant units have dropped compared to last year, but what’s more interesting is this:

The businesses surviving aren’t flashy.

They’re useful.

Repairs.
Food.
Hair.
Trades.
Services.

Peterborough doesn’t reward style first.

It rewards usefulness.

If you can solve a real problem here, you’ve got a shot.

That’s not hype.

That’s structure.

We’re Fine.” The Phrase People Say When They’re Not Sure.

Tom from Hampton said it best:

“We’re not struggling. We’re not flying. We’re just… managing.”

That word comes up a lot.

Managing. Here's what that usually means ...

When lots of families feel like that at once, spending changes.

Nights out reduce.

Big purchases pause.

Impulse upgrades stop.

Bills paid before the red letter

Savings thinner. Credit card bill creeping up

Holiday dreams become smaller.

Stress levels get much higher.

Not a crisis.

Not comfort.

Just requires more effort to stay afloat.

And that’s the mood across a big chunk of the city right now.

Not disaster or doom and gloom.

Not booming and living without a care.

Effort and graft in spades !

And sometimes saying out loud it is enough to feel less alone. 

The Lunch Spots Locals Gatekeep (Until Now)

These aren’t “budget hacks.”

These are places locals hesitate to share because once they’re busy… they’re busy.

1️⃣ Café Deli – St John’s Street

The sandwich fillings are ridiculous. Not Instagram pretty. Just stacked.
Closes early. Regulars know that.

Closes early — locals know that.

2️⃣ Cafe YU – Dogsthorpe

The breakfast wrap is the move.If you know, you know.

3️⃣ The Coffee Hive – Fletton Avenue

Paninis that don’t feel like petrol-station food.No drama. Reliable coffee.
The kind of place where staff remember your order.

4️⃣ Harrier – Gunthorpe
Not fancy. Reliable. Big portions. No nonsense.
You won’t leave hungry

5️⃣ Higgsy’s – London Road
Messy burgers. Cheap. Fast.

Sophie from Fletton:

“I don’t need fancy. I need full.”

We did “under a tenner” last week.

This week isn’t about price.

It’s about places that don’t disappoint.

What’s the one you almost don’t want us to publish?

30-Second Reality Check Quiz

Answer honestly.

1. 1.Do you know when your car insurance renews?

2.  

3. 2.Could you pass a lender affordability check?

4.  

5. 3.Do you know your monthly commuting cost in full?

6.  

7. 4.Have you checked your service charge if you own a flat?

8.  

9. 5.Have you totalled your kids’ term costs?

10.  

If you answered “no” to three or more…

You’re reacting.

Not planning.

That’s fixable.

Fewer Parking Spaces in New Builds? Shared Cars? Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?

There’s a national push happening right now.

Fewer parking spaces per home.

More shared transport.

More “car-light” developments.

On paper it sounds modern.

In reality?

Try telling a two-car household in Hampton Water that their next house might come with one space.

Or telling a family in Cardea that “car club vehicles” will replace their second car.

“We both work. We’re not cycling to Fengate at 6am,” said Laura from PE7.

Government-backed planning guidance is pushing councils to reduce parking provision — especially near transport links.

Read the government consultation on parking standards here

The problem?

Peterborough isn’t London or Mnachester.

Bus frequency doesn’t match shift work.

Train lines don’t serve every estate.

Cycling from Orton to Paston isn’t realistic for most families.

So here’s the tension:

Are planners designing for a lifestyle that doesn’t match how people here actually live?

Or are residents refusing to adapt?

Because fewer spaces won’t reduce cars overnight.

It’ll just increase pavement parking.

And we already know how that ends.

Anyone who's been down Millfield at 6pm will know exactly how things will end up.

 Unfinished Roads & The Estate That’s Still Waiting Is Yours?

Let’s talk about something locals in Fengate have been muttering about for years.

Connect 21. Designed for 21st Century living - tree lined streets a artists impression.

Private road. Built around 15 years ago.

Still not adopted by the council. Total trees planted ONE!

That means:

Maintenance questions.
Responsibility debates.
Unclear long-term guarantees.

And it’s not the only one.

Across Peterborough, there are several developments where road adoption orders seem to sit in limbo.

Residents pay. Maintenance Fees
Builders move on.
Paperwork drifts.

One homeowner told us:

“We bought the dream. We didn’t expect to chase the basics.”

Adoption delays aren’t always scandalous — sometimes it’s drainage standards, sometimes it’s compliance, sometimes it’s bonding issues.

But when it drags on for years?

Confidence drops.

If you buy into a new estate today, do you actually know:

• Who owns the road?
• Who maintains it?
• What happens if something fails?

Or are you assuming “the council sorts it”?

Because sometimes… it doesn’t.

Search “road adoption Peterborough” on the council site here

https://www.peterborough.gov.uk

Do you live on an unadopted road?

Reply with your estate name or postcode. We’re compiling a list for next week.

Why Aren’t People Going Into Town?

Let’s not pretend this one’s mysterious.

Parking cost.

Parking enforcement.

Shop closures.

Footfall drop.

Speak to a business owner near Bridge Street and you’ll hear:

“We need reasons for people to stay, not just pass through.”

Queensgate isn’t what it was.

Bridge Street has gaps.

Meanwhile, some commercial units are converting into residential accommodation.

More flats.

Fewer shops.

On paper that increases footfall.

In practice?

If the ground floor doesn’t feel worth visiting, people won’t travel in.

Jason from Werrington said it bluntly:

“I’ll go to Hampton or order online.”

So the question is:

Is the city centre being reshaped…

or slowly hollowed out?

Because they look similar until it’s too late.

Should Peterborough Even Have Local Elections Right Now?

Here’s the uncomfortable one.

Every election costs money.

Staffing.
Security.
Administration.
Ballots.
Count teams.

Some residents argue:

“If it’s the same arguments every cycle, what’s the point?”

Others argue:

“If we stop voting locally, we lose control completely.”

With recent code-of-conduct complaints and scrutiny reports still fresh in memory, trust is already thin.

So what’s worse:

Spending taxpayer money on elections that feel repetitive?

Or risking less accountability?

Democracy isn’t free.

But dysfunction isn’t cheap either.

Where do you stand?

If You Ran Peterborough Council for 12 Months, What Would You Actually Change?

Go play along.

No fantasy budgets.
No magic money.

Realistic changes.

Here are three ideas locals suggested this week:

1️⃣ Publish road adoption timelines publicly.
Not vague. Actual dates.

2️⃣ Freeze parking charge increases for 18 months.
Test whether footfall rises.

3️⃣ Offer discounted town-centre business rates for independent retailers only.

Not chains.

And here’s one from Darren in Bretton:

“Make every planning proposal explain parking impact in plain English.”

If you had one year in charge what’s your first move?

Be specific.

Does Peterborough Need a Park & Ride — Or Is That 2005 Thinking?

Cambridge relies on it.

Peterborough floats the idea every few years.

The theory:

Park outside the city.

Bus in.

Reduce congestion.

The reality question:

Would you use it?

If parking in town feels expensive…

And buses feel unreliable…

Would you trust a park-and-ride scheme to solve it?

Or would it become another half-used idea?

This isn’t a simple yes/no.

It’s:

Do we build for the city we are…

or the city planners want us to become?

The Dog Health Mistake Vets See Every February

Raimonda from 4Paws K9 Specialist  flagged this one immediately.

Post-Christmas weight gain in dogs.

Not dramatic.

Not obvious.

But enough to affect joints by spring.

“Owners don’t notice the gradual gain,” she says.

“But two extra kilos on a medium dog is like us carrying a weighted vest all day.”

Local vets see a spike in:

• Stiffness
• Reluctance to jump
• Early joint strain

Especially in Labradors and French Bulldogs across Hampton and Orton.

Simple fix?

Measure food properly.

Most owners “free pour” dry food — and overfeed by 10–20%.

And cut the “just one more” treat habit.

Winter = less walking.

More snacking.

Same bowl size.

If your dog feels heavier when you lift them…

They probably are.

🐾 Peterborough Local Pet Insider Launching Soon

We’re launching a dedicated Local Pet Insider — practical advice, local trainer input, vet-backed health notes, behaviour fixes, no fluff.

First edition includes:

• Recall mistakes most owners make
• Lead tension breakdown
• Early arthritis signs
• Best local walks by ground condition

If you own a pet in Peterborough, you’ll want it.

Watch this space. Sign up at the link above its 100% free.

The Local Businesses Winning Right Now (And Why)

Not hype. Not PR.

Actual patterns.

Hair & beauty in Hampton — booked solid Thursday–Saturday.

Phone repair near Cathedral Square — steady footfall.

Independent coffee spots off Broadway — full before 10am.

What’s working?

• Useful services
• Fair pricing
• Easy access parking
• Owners visible on social media

What’s not?

• “Luxury repositioning” in the wrong area

• Overpriced menu creep

• Poor opening hours

If you run something local and want honest coverage — we’re watching.

Because the businesses adapting fastest are the ones that survive.

The Hidden Local Market You’re Probably Ignoring

It’s not the city centre.

It’s estate-based.

Small service providers operating within 1–2 mile radiuses.

Mobile car valeters.
Garden clearances.
Pressure washers.
Dog walkers.
Oven cleaners.

Residents in Werrington and Stanground told us they now search Facebook groups before Google.

Trust beats branding.

If you serve a tight postcode properly, you don’t need a flashy shopfront.

That’s where quiet money is moving.

And if you’re thinking of launching something small…

Start hyper-local.

Not city-wide.

Brutal Question: Are We Actually Holding Anyone To Account?

Not online.Not in comment sections.In real life.

Roads unfinished for years.

Parking policies that don’t match real families.

Town centre units turning into flats.

Planning promises that feel flexible.

And yet…

Developments still sell.

Council tax still gets paid.

Turnout in local elections isn’t exactly electric.

Public meetings aren’t packed.

Imran from Gladstone Street put it bluntly:

“Everyone moans. Then everyone moves on.”

That’s the pattern.

We complain about Connect 21 roads still not adopted.

We complain about parking design.

We complain about town thinning out.

But do we:

• Ask for timelines in writing?

• Turn up to planning consultations?

• Email councillors directly?

• Vote consistently?

Or do we vent and scroll?

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:

If standards stay low, it’s often because the pressure stays low.

Peterborough doesn’t lack opinion.

It sometimes lacks follow-through.

So here’s the question that matters more than any headline:

Are we frustrated… or are we organised?

Reply with one example where you’ve actually pushed something locally — and what happened.

Let’s see who’s serious. Lets stop settling for that's how it is and start demanding more from our Council, Politicans, Goverment , Local Officals and more.

That’s sharp.

That’s uncomfortable.

That turns the mirror around.

It doesn’t attack a party.

It doesn’t accuse wrongdoing.

It challenges behaviour.

That’s hotter — and safer — than blaming one side.