Queensgate Peterborough facts for kids
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Queensgate viewed from the top of Peterborough Cathedral
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| Location | Peterborough, Cambs. PE1 1NT |
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| Coordinates | 52°34′26″N 0°14′38″W / 52.574°N 0.244°W |
| Developer | Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) |
| Management | Lend Lease |
| Owner | Invesco Real Estate |
| No. of stores and services | 102 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 2 |
| Total retail floor area | 804,000 square feet (74,700 m2) |
| No. of floors | 4 |
| Parking | 2,300 spaces |
| Public transit access | Queensgate bus station |
The Queensgate shopping centre is a large mall in the heart of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. It has more than 100 shops and parking for 2,300 cars. The Queensgate bus station is right inside the centre. It is also just a short walk from Peterborough railway station. The centre offers wheelchairs and electric scooters for people who need help getting around. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially opened Queensgate on March 9, 1982.
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How Queensgate Began
In 1967, Peterborough was chosen to be a "new town." This meant it would be planned and built to grow. The city decided to build a big, new shopping centre in the middle of town. In 1976, they received permission to start building.
A major department store called John Lewis Partnership agreed to be the main store. This type of store is called an "anchor tenant." It helps attract many shoppers. John Lewis had a store in Peterborough before, but it closed in 1956 after a fire. So, opening a new store in Queensgate was like coming home for them.
Changes to Anchor Stores
Over the years, some of the main stores at Queensgate have changed. John Lewis closed its store permanently in April 2021. Marks & Spencer also closed its store in April 2024.
Today, Queensgate has two main anchor stores. These are Boots (company), which opened in 1982, and Odeon Cinemas, which opened in 2024.
Queensgate's Development Over Time
In 2005, a company called Hammerson bought half of Queensgate. They had plans for a huge new area next to the centre. This project was called North Westgate. It would have made Queensgate much bigger, but these plans were stopped because of money problems in 2008.
Updates and Improvements
In 2011, Queensgate had a £20 million makeover. The clothing store Primark moved into several new units. The car park also got new signs. At first, they removed names of local heroes, but then they brought them back. Now, the car park uses both colours and names to help people find their cars.
A bridge called Paten Bridge connects Queensgate to the train station area. A new Waitrose supermarket opened there in 2014. In 2018, some parts of Queensgate were repaved, and shop fronts were updated. There have been talks about adding a glass roof over the street, but this has not happened yet.
Recent Expansions and New Stores
In 2015, new owners Invesco and their managers Lendlease planned a £30 million expansion. This plan included adding a new area with restaurants and a multi-screen cinema. Work on this expansion started in 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction paused briefly but then continued. Next was interested in a new store, but they closed their Queensgate store in April 2021. TK Maxx moved into a vacant unit on the Upper Ground Floor.
In summer 2021, John Lewis announced they would not reopen their Peterborough store. Many people tried to keep it open, but John Lewis decided to leave the city.
Since the pandemic, Queensgate has welcomed new businesses like Black Sheep Coffee and Rich & Famous. Sostrene Green is also refurbishing a former store.
New Cinema and Stores
The cinema development faced delays after its original operator, Empire Cinemas, closed. However, in March 2024, Odeon Group announced they would take over the cinema. A new 10-screen IMAX cinema opened in September 2024.
Frasers Group is also refurbishing the former John Lewis store. They plan to open a Frasers store and a Sports Direct store inside Queensgate. These new stores will bring brands like USC, Jack Wills, and Game to the centre. Frasers is expected to open in 2025.
Radio Station History
From 1987 to 2011, a local radio station called Hereward Radio (now Heart Cambridgeshire) broadcast from studios located right inside Queensgate.
Getting to Queensgate
The Queensgate bus station is located within the shopping centre itself. It is also a very short walk from Peterborough railway station. This train station is a major stop on the East Coast Main Line, making it easy to reach Queensgate by public transport.
More to See
- Peterborough railway station
