Queensgate shopping centre

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Queensgate shopping centre


image_width = 160
caption =
hours =
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architect =
location = Peterborough,
Cambs. PE1 1NT
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number_of_stores = 90
number_of_anchors =
area =
floor_area = convert|804000|sqft|m2|-2
floors = 2
parking = 2,300 spaces
website = [http://www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk]

Queensgate shopping centre in the United Kingdom, is situated in Peterborough's city centre in Cambridgeshire. It was opened by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on 09 March 1982 and contains over 90 stores and parking for 2,300 cars. Queensgate bus station is adjacent to the shopping centre and only a short walk from Peterborough railway station, a major interchange. [ [http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-5241 Peterborough Bus Station] Peterborough City Council (retrieved 11 January 2008)] Peterborough Shopmobility provide wheelchairs and electric scooters to help those with limited mobility. [ [http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/transport/further_shopmobility.shtml Peterborough Shopmobility] Peterborough City Council (retrieved 11 January 2008)]

Designated a New Town in 1967, [The Peterborough New Town (Designation) Order 1967, see the London Gazette ( [http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveViewFrameSetup.asp?webType=0&PageDuplicate=x0%20%20%20%20%20%20&issueNumber=44377&pageNumber=0&SearchFor=Peterborough%20New%20Town&selMedalType=&selHonourType= Issue 44377] ) published 01 August 1967] Peterborough Development Corporation decided to construct a new purpose-built shopping centre in the heart of the revitalised city. [Hancock, Tom "Greater Peterborough Master Plan" Peterborough Development Corporation, 1971] Planning permission was received in the late summer of 1976 and, in the November of that year, the John Lewis Partnership announced that it had agreed to be the anchor shop in the new development.

The opening of John Lewis Peterborough (and Waitrose supermarket) marked a return to the city after an absence of over twenty five years. Until 1956, when the two main blocks of the building were completely destroyed by fire, the John Lewis Partnership had a small department store in Peterborough trading under the name of Robert Sayle. Formerly known as Thomsons, the shop had been renamed following acquisition by the Partnership in 1940. [ [http://www.johnlewis.com/Shops/DSTemplate.aspx?Id=27 The history of John Lewis Peterborough] The John Lewis Partnership (retrieved 10 January 2008)] Robert Sayle was itself renamed John Lewis Cambridge in 2007. [ [http://www.johnlewis.com/Shops/DSTemplate.aspx?Id=22 The history of John Lewis Cambridge] The John Lewis Partnership (retrieved 10 January 2008)]

Independent local radio station, Hereward FM, has broadcast from studios at Queensgate since moving from Lower Bridge Street in 1987. Queensgate advertises on Hereward with the jingle "the capital city of shopping".

In 2005 Hammerson Plc acquired a 50% interest in the freehold of Queensgate from Norwich Union Life and Pensions for a total consideration of £156 million. [ [http://www.hammerson.com/pages/76/2005+Press+Releases.stm?article_id=59 Hammerson Acquires Interest in Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough] Hammerson, Press Release, 17 November 2005] The north Westgate project will create a 646,000 square feet (60,000 m²) mixed-use development adjacent to the existing shopping centre. On completion of the works, the combined scheme will form a single 1,450,000 square feet (135,000 m²) destination. [ [http://www.hammerson.com/pages/75/2006+Press+Releases.stm?article_id=32 Development Agreement for North Westgate, Peterborough] Hammerson, Press Release, 14 February 2006]

In 2007 Queensgate shopping centre announced it would be opening on Boxing Day for the first time in its 25 year history. [Nicolson, Kirsty [http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Queensgate-to-open-on-Boxing.3616203.jp Queensgate to open on Boxing Day this year] Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 22 December 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk/ Queensgate shopping centre]
* [http://www.johnlewis.com/Shops/DSShop.aspx?Id=9 John Lewis Peterborough]
* [http://www.pcvs.co.uk/shopmob.html Peterborough Shopmobility]
* [http://www.stagecoachbus.com/peterborough/ Stagecoach in Peterborough]