Peterborough has seen the trickle of Polish migrants turn into a flood since the opening of the EU borders in 2004.

More than 10,000 Poles have arrived in Peterborough over the past three years, making up about 10 per cent of the city's workforce.

The mushrooming Polish community now make up a sizeable proportion of our plumbers, electricians, hotel staff and even doctors and dentists, not to mention our fruit and vegetable pickers and factory workers.

But newly elected Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk, who swept to power six months ago, is encouraging migrant workers to return to their home land by launching posters in newspapers across the UK.

He is also giving away a handbook for re-emigrants to advise Poles how to find accommodation back home in a desperate bid to bring back the country's residents and fill much-needed gaps in the labour market.

Peterborough is ranked among the top 10 most popular areas for Eastern European immigrants to settle along with Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and Northampton.

But the biggest wave of migration has been felt in Peterborough with around one in 10 residents as new arrivals, putting the strain on schools and hospitals.

The Evening Telegraph spoke to just a handful of Peterborough's Polish residents to find out what initially brought them to the city and whether the magnet to go back to their old life is strong enough.

Iwona Chodzicka couldn't wait to visit England
The 27-year-old was taught all about the UK at school, how it was full of well mannered gentlemen in top hats and ladies in long frilly skirts.

So needless to say she was rather shocked when she arrived in 2000.

She said: "I was given this idealised view of England being the perfect place to live, full of friendly and helpful people. So my expectations were some what shattered when I arrived, but after

settling in, meeting people and getting a good job, I would never go back. No matter what the Polish government do or say, England is my home now."

Woj Swider (23) moved to the city in 2004 to find a better life for himself as he couldn't afford a proper education in Poland.

He started work as a fresh fruit picker in a factory, moving on to Perkins Engines and then as a cashier at The Money Shop, in Lincoln Road.

Mr Swider believes there are two types of Polish people who come to England, ones who come over to work and send money back and others who want a better life and bring their families over.

He said: "Four years ago the pound was worth 7.10 Polish zloty but now it is just 4.30.

"The main reason Polish people are going back is because of the change in currency, it is not worth those who are just over here to send money back, to stay. They will return and find another country to earn money in.

"I am not interested in going back, I am settled here."

Anna De Trojan (22) from Dogsthorpe, who also works at The Money Shop, in Westgate, arrived in Peterborough in July 2006 after visiting her brother on holiday.

She is currently doing a part-time admin course at Peterborough Regional College and business and management with the Open University.

She said: "I didn't think I would stay but I love the

language, the culture, the lifestyle and the money.

"Everything is better over here, the weather is warmer and there are so many more opportunities than in Poland, I would never go back to my life there."

Special Report: The future of Peterborough: Immigration in the city
The ET spotlights some of the key issues facing Peterborough as the city plans for the future.
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The Kepkiewicz family

Katarzyna and Robert Kepkiewicz and their two daughters Gabriela and Natalia are now reunited after three years apart.

Sous chef Mr Kepkiewicz moved to Gladstone Street, Millfield, in 2004 to find a better paid job so that he could provide a better life for his wife and daughters.

They are now looking to start up their own Polish restaurant in Peterborough.

Mrs Kepkiewicz (32) said: "It is much easier living in England. With just one salary we are able to feed four people, pay our rent and have a decent life.

"Robert was working over here and sending money back to us but it was putting strains on the relationship and our family.

"He only planned to stay for six months to earn some extra money but his job at the Holiday Inn was too good to leave.

"We then had to make the decision whether to bring our children over and starting a new life.

"Everything is going well and we wouldn't go back except for holidays."


Iwona Chodzicka

Iwona Chodzicka came to Peterborough in 2000 with nothing more than a basic knowledge of English and a backpack.

Eight years on and the 27-year-old, from Eastfield, is now a qualified Polish interpreter and teacher.

Miss Chodzicka said: "When I first came to England, I didn't have any plans to stay, I just wanted to see what life was like.

"Not being able to speak English proved a huge problem, especially when you are trying to juggle two or three jobs at a time and keep up with college work.

"I also found that my employers would take advantage of me because I couldn't speak the language very well.

"My life is in England now, I have many friends over here and other than for holidays I would never consider going back."


Kasia Chiva

"I help people to build a life in Peterborough, just like they did for me."

Kasia Chiva from Woodston is now married and settled with a two-year-old daughter and another baby on the way.

When her job on a cruise ship made a final stop to England in 2004, Kasia decided it was the final stop for her too and set up home in Peterborough with her first job packing chickens.

The 29-year-old had a masters in social rehabilitation but ended up working as a head waitress in a restaurant, 12 hours a day, six days a week and for three months she didn't get any pay.

She said: "My employers told me they were changing the condition of my contract and said if I didn't like I could leave and so I did and wasn't paid.

"I had only been in England for a short time and I didn't know where to go, if it wasn't for my partner I would have gone back to Poland.

"It was then I decided I needed to come as close to my profession as I could."

Kasia worked for a short while as a care worker before working for New Link, the city's asylum and migration service more than two years ago.

She added: "It is a very rewarding job, being able to help people like myself who found it hard when they first moved here. I have no plans to return.