Locals call for market and independent shops as former TK Maxx to be demolished

Subject to planning approval, the former TK Maxx building will be demolished to make way for shops and homes

Locals have shared what they would like to see happen to a massive building that housed a Woolworths and TK Maxx. At the end of March, Peterborough City Council announced the sale of the former TK Maxx building in Bridge Street had been completed and that it would be demolished.

Dubbed a “landmark building” by council leader Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the building will be converted into new shops and accommodation. Peterborough residents have shared what they would like to see the building replaced with.

William Elmore said it is “time for change” with the building set to be demolished. He said: “I think it’s important there is something different.

“We’ve got a awful lot of vape shops and takeaways. We’re also trying to café culture thing, but we need to trim the trees down so some sunlight gets through. It needs to be something nice, something that suits the town. An independent shop would be good.”

David Miller and Roseanne Holmes have fond memories of when the building was Woolworths. David said it was a “good shop”.

On its future, he added: “We have a lot of cafés, so an indoor market would be great, with local produce and things like that. It’s a huge space, and it’s sitting there doing nothing. There are lots of people out there that make stuff.”

Roseanne also liked the idea of a market. She said: “If they’ve got a market, then people can make a bit more money.”

David added: “It’s very cultural around here, so it would be great for all cultures.”

One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said it is “such a big building”, that it would be “nice to put something in a bit different”.

She added: “Maybe another high end clothes shop? Or it would be nice to have a proper market. I remember when the market was near the old Wilko’s. It used to be popular. It would be nice to have somewhere for everyone to go to.”

Frank Golding said Woolworths was his “favourite” shop. He said: “It was so good for its bargains. It was sent when it turned into a TK Maxx and it was ok, but I didn’t go there as much. It’ll be nice to see something finally done with it.

“Maybe something a bit more cultural, like some different food shops. There is a lot of culture in Peterborough, why not show it off?”

Mary Whittaker would like to see some independent shops added to the city centre. She said: “It’s such a big building to knock down.

“The homes will be good, being in the centre of the city. I do wonder what shops they’ll put in, maybe some independent shops? That’s what Peterborough is lacking I feel, more of a space for more niche things.”

Peterborough City Council bought the former TK Maxx building in 2020 for £4 million. The shop was then moved into the Queensgate Shopping Centre, where it remains today.