Peterborough Queensgate bosses 'encouraged' by passengers' response to partial bus station closure

A section of the Queensgate shopping centre bus station was shut on Monday when construction work began on a rooftop cinema at the 38-year-old retail complex.

The closure has been enforced for health and safety reasons and means a number of bus services have been rerouted to a temporary bus station in Acland Street - a four minute walk away. .

The temporary bus station is likely to be in operation for the 18 months it takes to complete the £60 million cinema, restaurants and shops extension.

Mark Broadhead, Centre Director at Queensgate Shopping Centre, said: “We have been talking to bus users over the past two days and helping to ensure changes to their normal routes are communicated effectively.

“We’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback so far, and understanding with regards to the temporary inconvenience.

He added: “We are delighted that work has finally begun on the extension of Queensgate Shopping centre.

“It has been a fantastic two days – the Heras fencing has gone up, plant equipment has started to arrive and the temporary bus station is fully operational.

“Long-term, this is about creating a wonderful asset for Peterborough which all the city’s residents will benefit from, as well as people from further afield.

“This is a very exciting time for Queensgate and this major project will help boost the city’s future economy.”

The new extension to the centre, which was officially opened on March 9, 1982, will feature a 10-screen Empire cinema complete with iMAX screen on the roof adjacent to the John Lewis & Partners store.

A chain of restaurants and retail stores will also be created on the levels beneath the cinema with a total of 77,000 square feet being added to the existing building and creating more than 200 jobs.

The new attractions should open in late 2021.

But, shoppers are being assured that their shopping and customer experience during the construction will be unaffected, and stores will remain open throughout the works.

Mr Broadhead said: “Most of the work will be taking place behind the scenes – but shoppers can expect to see cranes and scaffolding around the centre, as well as some visible works in the West Mall.”

The project is being led by McLaren Construction, an international construction contractor which operates across the UK and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Jay Newman, Managing Director – South at McLaren, said: “The second phase of this major redevelopment at Queensgate will provide an exciting new cultural entertainment hub for local people and visitors to Peterborough.

“Once complete, the new facilities will also create 200 new jobs for local people.

“We are working closely with the local community and Queensgate to bring further employment opportunities to the area during the construction programme.”