Grants of up to £3,000 offered for projects to breathe new life into Peterborough city centre

Cash awards of up to £3,000 are available for new ideas that for creative projects and events that will help raise footfall, benefit city centre businesses and make the city centre more vibrant and welcoming.

The offer comes from Peterborough Positive, the city centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), which has launched the second year of its Small Grant Scheme and which is aimed at limited companies, Community Interest Companies, charitable organisations and community benefit societies.

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer at Peterborough Positive, said: “We’re delighted to launch the Small Grant Scheme and are excited to see what ideas local organisations bring forward.

"Initiatives like this add colour, creativity and energy to the city centre, and help make it a more vibrant and welcoming place for people to spend time.

He said: “Last year, the grant supported several fantastic projects, including Black History Month celebrations, a Doctor Who trail at Peterborough Museum, Helios at Peterborough Cathedral and Metal’s Positive Notes city centre public art trail.

"Each of these brought people together, encouraged exploration and helped showcase the city centre in new and engaging ways.

“We’re keen to support more initiatives and events that help bring people into the city centre and help our businesses thrive by encouraging visitors to stay longer and return again.”

Successful projects must be capable of being delivered by March 2027 and must align with one or more of Peterborough Positive’s core priorities as well as showing tangible benefits to city centre businesses.

While the scheme offers grants of up to £3,000, larger awards will be considered in special cases.

The deadline for applications is April 10 and successful applicants will be notified the week starting April 20.