I'm referring, of course, to the £450 million North Westgate proposals that will transform Peterborough city centre, inject £100 million a year into the local economy, create 60 new retail units and bring 3,000 jobs during construction and a further 3,000 jobs afterwards.

But long gone are the days when cities were content to just get a new shopping mall.

Read related: Most ambitious project in almost three decades
Work to transform the heart of Peterborough in a radical £450 million project is set to start in 2009.
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Now the demand is for a shopping centre that connects with the rest of the city and includes and enhances its existing assets, in Peterborough's case Westgate church and the surrounding area that will become a continental-style family friendly public piazza when building work is completed in 2013.

Plans to build 100 plus residential units, new restaurants and bars should transform the city into a 24/7 environment that is safe and welcoming and a place where people are delighted to live and work.

Peterborough will be a city to which companies will be keen to move bringing with them jobs and wealth.

An important feature is the proposal for a new transport terminal, shifting the bus depot closer to the rail station and improving the access from the terminal to the city centre. This is vital. There is a lot of truth in the old adage 'the first impression counts'.

At the moment, visitors, and that includes directors and managers considering Peterborough as a home for their businesses, walk straight into the bland, looming walls of a multi-storey car park – that is if they have managed to get safely across the busy road right outside the station that teams with cars and taxis and where remaining on the narrow pavement is an artform.

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I was privileged to be among the guests at the 10th anniversary dinner of the Peterborough Business Support Group for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and, like most people present, was amazed to hear the group raises about £30,000 to £40,000 a year for the charity.

It is, quite frankly, a staggering amount and is a tribute to the energy and vision of the small group of people who have put together a series of high quality fund-raising events, which have generated a generous turnout time after time.