New plans are drawn up to launch Peterborough's bid to be City of Culture in 2033

The action comes just weeks after Peterborough fell at the first hurdle in its attempt to be named as the next City of Culture in 2029.

The city submitted a so-called Expression of Interest and was even named as ‘one of the favourites’ along Wrexham, Blackpool and Portsmouth to land the big prize.

However, Peterborough failed to make it to the ‘longlist’ of nine potential winners.

But civic leaders say that valuable lessons have been learnt from the first attempt at the title that could have secured £10 million prize money to support the delivery of their programme to create ‘transformative’ opportunities and richer lives for people and communities.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “We are already planning for the 2033 City of Culture competition having learnt so much from our first steps into bidding this time around.

"The City of Culture isn’t just about winning, it is also about bringing together our arts, culture and heritage to work together to deliver more opportunities across Peterborough.

"We are already seeing that in action with the collaboration with the Titanosaur and its links beyond the cathedral to the Flag Fen, the Museum and other places.

Mr Pakes added: “The first discussions have started for 2033 bringing more groups together and looking at both how we bring more investment to the city now and ready for the next city of culture.

"I think we are in a strong position for 2033 if we keep bringing our arts and heritage organizations together and making culture part of our regeneration plans for the city.”

A Facebook page – Peterborough: UK City of Culture 2033 – has already been set up as the city begins to shape its campaign for the title in seven years’ time.

The page states: "For more than a decade, the idea of a Peterborough City of Culture bid sat on a future wishlist.

"Over the past few months that ambition became real.

"That work has already accelerated important foundations for the future: building a clearer identity for Peterborough as a destination, strengthening collaboration across the visitor economy and cultural sector, and championing a resident-first approach to tourism and place-making that builds pride, belonging and confidence among local people.

“Culture does not sit separately from the future of a city. It is deeply connected to regeneration, economic growth, infrastructure and the wellbeing of communities.

It adds: “This moment is not an ending. It is the starting point for Peterborough 2033. Now is the time for Peterborough to build on these foundations and step confidently into the next chapter of its cultural story.”