Conversations – Page 143 – The New Listener

Stewart Jackson MP on Funding for Immigration in Peterborough

Stewart Jackson MP talks to the BBC’s Andy Gall about the economic impact that recent high levels of EU immigration have had in Peterborough, and how he intends to lobby Government for extra funding to cope with the true extent of the problem. Broadcast at 08:05 on Friday 4th June 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

The Peterborough Neighbourhood Council Debate

A disagreement has arisen on Peterborough City Council over just how effective the new Neighbourhood Councils are, whether they achieve what they claim to do, and whether the money is wasted. The debate begins with two interviews with Councillors broadcast at 07:09 and 08:10 respectively on Thursday June 3rd in the Peterborough Breakfast Show hosted by Andy Gall on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. The first interview for the prosecution is with Cllr Steven Goldspink from the English Democrat Party. The second interview for the defence is with Cllr Peter Hiller Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood, Housing and Community Development.

This is followed by two more interviews broadcast on the next day, Friday 4th June at 07:35, with Doreen Murray a former councillor from the Ortons and an opponent of the current Councils and Chris York the unsuccesful Labour PPC for N.W.Cambridgeshire, who believes they offer some value.
Continue reading “The Peterborough Neighbourhood Council Debate”

Marco Cereste: Peterborough is Fantastic

Following a predicted rise in population in Peterborough Marco Cereste Leader of Peterborough City Council recommends building as many new houses as humanly possible, pressing on with large development schemes and sharing his fantastic view of Peterborough. Marco Cereste speaks to the BBC’s Andy Burrows at 08:10 on Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Following a predicted rise in population in Peterborough and despite savage cuts widely forecast, Marco Cereste Leader of Peterborough City Council recommends building as many new houses as humanly possible, pressing on with large development schemes and celebrating the culture on offer in the city. Sharing his fantastic view of Peterborough, Marco Cereste speaks to the BBC’s Andy Burrows at 08:10 on Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Continue reading “Marco Cereste: Peterborough is Fantastic”

Stewart Jackson MP on Coalition Government Policies for Peterborough

The newly re-elected Conservative MP for Peterborough Stewart Jackson talks to the BBC’s Andy Gall and answers some questions elicited from the general public by a BBC reporter on walkabout, regarding the problems affecting Peterborough and the way that new Coalition Government policies could affect the outcomes. Broadcast at 08:20 on Wednesday 2nd June in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Opportunity Peterborough on Going Forward

Neil Darwin from Opportunity Peterborough talks to the BBC’s Andy Burrows about their current strategy, on the day that the fountains were turned on in Cathedral Square. Broadcast at 16:19 on Tuesday 1st June 2010 in the Drivetime Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

ANDY: We’ll just stay with the fountains in Cathedral Square for just a moment though, because as we were talking the other side of the travel, the fountains were turned on today after months of work. And before we came on the air I spoke to Neil Darwin. He’s the Director of Economic Development with Opportunity Peterborough. That’s the company charged with rejuvenating the city. And I asked him how significant today’s event is to the future of Peterborough.

DARWIN: In terms of what’s been happening today, I think they’re a massive boost for the city. What we do know is that investors do like to have a good look around the city before they relocate anywhere. And having something as prestigious as the fountains is extremely good news for the city.
BURROWS: Are you getting much interest? Continue reading “Opportunity Peterborough on Going Forward”

Peterborough Centre Redevelopment Continues Apace

On the day that the fountains are due to be turned on, Radio Cambridgeshire takes a microphone out into Cathedral Square to sample opinions on the works carried out there, and David Arthur of Peterborough City Council speaks to the BBC’s Andy Burrows to forecast a September completion date for the project . Broadcast at 16:05 on Tuesday 1st June 2010 in the Drivetime Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

ANDY: First of all in this hour then, the fountains have been turned on in Cathedral Square in Peterborough, following a massive makeover, which officials hope will bring more shoppers, companies and ultimately investment into the city. Just a few days ago, here at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire we asked shoppers what they thought of the idea.

REPORTER: What do you think of the new Square?
SHOPPER 1: When it’s finished, it will be absolutely brilliant. It’s what Peterborough needed.
SHOPPER 2: Well it will, when it goes on, yes, it will be nice.
SHOPPER 3: On the artist’s impression, it looks as if it was going to be a real attraction, as if there was going to be a central point within it to look at. But there isn’t, and where the fountain water is going come out, it just looks like drain covers.
SHOPPER 4: I can’t see what they spent the money on. I really can’t. I really don’t see that the Square looks any different.
SHOPPER 5: There’s not really a lot to it. Kind of average. Square.
SHOPPER 6: It’s very beautiful, I think.
SHOPPER 7: Quite impressive. It’s taken a long time yes, there’s no doubt about that.
SHOPPER 8: It’s a bit plain.
SHOPPER 9: Yes it’s Ok. I just think it’s been a lot of money wasted.
SHOPPER 10: I think it’s beautiful. I think a few flowers would be nice, big flower-boxes of some kind.

ANDY: That was shoppers in Peterborough just a few days ago. David Arthur is the Project Manager for Peterborough City Council. He joins me now. Good afternoon to you David. Continue reading “Peterborough Centre Redevelopment Continues Apace”

Roger Hutchings from Queensgate Peterborough on Current Trading Conditions

Roger Hutchings from the Queensgate Shopping Centre Peterborough talks to the BBC’s Andy Gall about current trading conditions, and departures and arrivals in the Centre. Broadcast at 08:20 on Tuesday 1st June 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

Roger Hutchings from the Queensgate Shopping Centre Peterborough talks to the BBC’s Andy Gall about current trading conditions, and departures and arrivals in the Centre. Broadcast at 08:21 on Tuesday 1st June 2010 in the Peterborough Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

ANDY: It’s eight twenty one now, and there’ll soon be another empty shop at the Queensgate Centre. The Disney Store has decided to pull out after their lease expired. Recently Faith shoe shop also left, and Roger Hutchings is the Manager of Queensgate and joins us now. Good morning Roger.
ROGER: Good morning to you.
ANDY: So why are these shops leaving?
ROGER: Well I think there’s always circumstances surrounding every event. If we take Faith shoe shops, unfortunately Queensgate like other shopping destinations throughout the country have been affected by retailers going into administration, ceasing to trade, and we have lost Faith. That’s undoubtedly the case. In terms of Disney, yes Disney is .. the unit’s becoming available to us, but I think it’s easy to concentrate on the vacancies, and certainly they’re there, but we must also .. we are currently fitting out a shop for Pandora, who are coming in to open within the next couple of months, and negotiations are quite advanced with two or three national retailers to come to Queensgate. So, yes, no-one likes to lose space, or lose retailers and create space, that’s certainly not what we are about, but there is also positive news as well as those shops that are leaving. Continue reading “Roger Hutchings from Queensgate Peterborough on Current Trading Conditions”

Peterborough Male Voice Choir Help For Heroes Concert

Peterborough Male Voice Choir will perform a 75th anniversary concert in Peterborough Cathedral on Saturday July 10th 2010, supported by Roythornes Solicitors and Peterborough City Council, in aid of Help for Heroes. Jonathan Williams and Will Prideaux from the Choir have a conversation with the BBC’s Andy Gall in the Peterborough Breakfast Show, broadcast at 07:27 on Friday May 29th 2010 on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

ANDY: Now Peterborough’s Male Voice Choir is hosting a seventy fifth anniversary concert on the Tenth of July in aid of the charity Help for Heroes. Members Jonathan Williams and Will Prideaux, who’s the Music Director, have joined us in the studio this morning. Good morning chaps.
BOTH: Good morning.
ANDY: Good to hear from you. You have the voices, don’t you, that are just obligatory for singing that kind of well for singing opera really anyway in a choir. (WARBLES)(LAUGHS) Continue reading “Peterborough Male Voice Choir Help For Heroes Concert”