Residents react to city's tourism drive

"Peterborough needs to be sold more", the vice-chair of its civic society proclaimed, as he welcomed a new tourism drive for the city.

On Thursday, a new tourist board was unveiled to promote Peterborough's cultural, historic and natural attractions, along with a new website.

Toby Wood said "it was a great thing" to promote Peterborough as there was "loads here for people to explore", having previously criticised the local council's approach to tourism.

"We need to attract people from all over the country and our local residents too," he said.

The new board said it would aim to attract more people by creating a new visitor hub and film office, and coordinate promotion between different attractions.

Chaired by Labour MP Andrew Pakes, the board also unveiled the Discover Peterborough website, which showcases what the city has to offer, along with Peterborough's new strapline - "More than you imagine…".

He said: "This is a proud moment for Peterborough and a major step forward in telling a stronger story for our city."

Mr Wood approved of a new physical hub and website being set up.

"I would love to develop the Guildhall and turn that into a tourism office, but that would need a lot of money," he said.

Meanwhile, Carolyne Childs, 61, from Glinton, said the tourism push was a good idea, but said visitors "need things to see".

"The cathedral is good, but other things are run down and need investment," she said.

"Things tend to shut down at night - not a good evening night scene.

"We don't have top class shopping any more since John Lewis closed, Marks [and Spencer] is out of there [Queensgate shopping centre], and I think that's when it went downhill really."

Peter Bone, 76, from Marholm, said the city's infrastructure needed to be updated to make it more tourist friendly.

"You got certain things here like the River Nene, cathedral, but generally it is not touristy," he said.

"The infrastructure including buses need to be updated – we can't come here at night from the village.

"They need to run at least until eleven o'clock [23:00]."

Juliet Wilmore, 61, who lives in the city, feared there were not enough attractions for visitors.

She said the new tourism website was "good for the city, although I'm not sure what they are going to post about".

"We just have housing and more housing, and not sure what tourist attraction it [the board] will bring to Peterborough."

Elsewhere, Barbara Patterson, also from Peterborough, said she thought it was really "positive" to promote Peterborough.

"I think the city has lots to offer but not always gets good press," she said.

"People who like historical things, we have lots. But we also have some lovely countryside and villages – we should sing our praises a bit more."

The new tourism board brings together partners including Flag Fen Archaeology Park, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, the cathedral, city council, John Clare Countryside Trust, Nene Park Trust, the city's lido, Film Peterborough and Queensgate shopping centre, to promote a range of voices.

It will offer support with marketing and data collection and analysis, and help the city attract investment and national recognition.

Shabina Qayyum, Labour leader of Peterborough City Council, said the move "marks a practical step forward in showcasing all we have to offer".

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's Conservative mayor, Paul Bristow, added: "Peterborough is a well-connected city with so much to offer, from our 900-year-old cathedral and Ferry Meadows, to Flag Fen, the Nene Valley Railway and our historic city centre.

"It has huge potential as a top destination."

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