Plans to deliver culture for Peterborough’s youths who ‘do not feel there is anywhere for them’

Young people in Peterborough do not feel there is anything culturally for them to enjoy, it has been claimed.
A Black Lives Matter protest in PeterboroughA Black Lives Matter protest in Peterborough
A Black Lives Matter protest in Peterborough

A new Culture Strategy for Peterborough aims to tap into the youthful enthusiasm for climate change strikes and the Black Lives Matter movement to engage the city’s youngest residents in future years.

The strategy states that both movements show “people want more and want better” and that “young people are leading the way”.

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However, it adds: “Young people do not feel there is anywhere for them,” in Peterborough.

Addressing the issue in an interview with the Peterborough Telegraph about the new strategy, city council cabinet member for culture Cllr Steve Allen said: “The new university (in Peterborough) will bring different cohorts into the city and keep many of our young people here longer, hopefully.

“If we engage with youths from the outset then we have a customer for life.”

Suggestions on how to do that include making the most of Peterborough’s three theatres and entertainment venues such as the Met Lounge in Bridge Street.

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Cllr Allen added: “All sorts of things could be done. I’d like a week-long jazz festival in Peterborough with great names and local players playing in Pizza Express or The Lightbox.

“There are lots of things we can do, we just have to be brave and have the vision.

“We need to start talking with participants to get them engaged as we emerge from Covid. Once we’re allowed to start going out and about again we need to engage with people likely to stage events and get them to be players.”