Support for Peterborough Market to be moved into Beales as architects prepare plans for Northminster redevelopment

Peterborough Civic Society unveiled plans for a major repurposing of the vacant Westgate House on Park Road and Westgate a few weeks ago.

The group’s vision includes using the shell of the building for more than 100 market stalls, 20 street retail units and 30 ground floor units for either retail, food, leisure, training or offices.

The upper level units would provide space for more specialist services such as opticians or solicitors as well as more than 100 apartments.

The civic society said the ideas have received huge support, and it has now written to Peterborough City Council cabinet members asking them to push forward with a feasibility study while also releasing photos of what the indoor market could look like, based on one in Belfast.

It said: “Feedback from members of the public and a number of city councillors has been significant, enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive,” while adding that the scheme would “have long lasting benefits for the city centre”.

It has now requested that the cabinet work with the owners of Westgate House to see if the scheme is viable.

It said the cash-strapped council could seek funding for the study from the Towns Fund - a £25 million pot of money from the Government to push the city’s growth.

The market site at Northminster is due to be redeveloped in the future with the intention that the site will have apartments, a new car park and a market hall.

While works take place existing market traders will be forced to re-locate.

Council leader Cllr John Holdich told the Peterborough Telegraph four architects have been selected to give the authority a design for the site by the end of July.

The civic society added in its letter: “Why not build the new market on a permanent fresh site so that it does not have to move twice? The Westgate House site is ideally located to ensure a sustainable future. It is close to those things which attract shoppers, and traders, and close to the true core of retailing, next to a ground level pedestrian access to Queensgate.

“It is also easily accessible to bus and train stations and large capacity car parks. There would also be space for ground level parking on the site. It is on a route well known to existing Peterborough shoppers, many of Beales’ (and the Co-op’s) customers being well used to travelling to the Park Road area to shop.

“There are is a fairly large population living within walking distance of the site and many more to come when North Westgate is eventually developed, with at least 300 new homes.

“A good part of the nearby area is to be redeveloped with offices and hotels which add to the customer base.”

Asked for his response, Cllr Holdich said he could support the proposals if a business plan made sense.

He added: “The council has been looking at similar ideas but can not make them stand up financially.”

Some ‘non-essential’ stalls in the market will be re-opening from Tuesday. A council spokesperson added: “We are looking at options to move others outdoors to allow social distancing.”

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