Summer is the perfect excuse to gather your friends, fire up the BBQ, and enjoy long, sun-soaked evenings in the garden. But hosting the perfect garden party isn’t just about the food, it’s all about the vibe. And no, we’re not just talking your typical picnic rugs and plastic plates!

Think chic salad bowls, statement glassware, tiki mugs, mist spray fans, and games that keep the kids (and grown-ups) happy for hours.

We’ve done the browsing for you, curating the ultimate collection of quirky, colourful, and totally summer-ready finds from your favourite stores, all under one roof at Queensgate Shopping Centre.

From H&M’s stylish serve ware to Flying Tiger’s fun outdoor games, this guide is your one-stop inspo list for a garden party that’s equal parts gorgeous and good vibes. Whether you’re going tropical tiki or keeping it cool and casual, we’ve got everything to make your bash one to remember.

Let’s get the party started!

Festival season is here, and we're serving up some serious style inspo! Whether you're camping out for a weekend of music and mayhem or dancing the day away in the sun, we've got the perfect festival looks for you.

We've created three show-stopping outfits using pieces from H&M, River Island, and Primark that blend fashion, comfort, and fun. Think bold statement pieces, eye-catching accessories, and all the perfect combination to make you shine from the main stage to the afterparty.

Ready to find your festival fit?

On the Wednesday 11 June 2025, SPARX, a new charity shop in Queensgate Shopping Centre (located in the former Argos Unit on the upper mall), have joined forces with the Amir Khan Academy under the umbrella of Top Yard School of Boxing, is thrilled to announce the opening of a new boxing facility

Top Yard School of Boxing, an England Boxing-affiliated amateur club, has been a pillar of the community for over nine years. Founded with a mission to inspire fitness, build confidence, and offer young people a positive outlet. With 5 National Champions and over 20 Box Cup champions, the club has earned a reputation for excellence both in and out of the ring.

This new venture in collaboration with SPARX charity enables the club to expand its reach, delivering more sessions and high-quality coaching to a broader audience. The facility will cater to everyone, from competitive boxers and fitness enthusiasts to those interested in self-defence, female-only classes, and even over-50s programs.

“We’re not just building fighters, we’re building confidence, discipline, and stronger communities,” said a spokesperson from Top Yard School of Boxing. “Boxing teaches discipline, self-defence, gives you purpose in life and keeps you off the streets.”

Verity Swinscoe - Wigmore Marketing and Events Co-ordinator at Queensgate Shopping Centre, added, “We’re proud to support this partnership, which brings such a valuable resource to our community. It’s fantastic to see the Queensgate space being used to promote health, wellbeing, and positive opportunities for people of all ages.”

Classes will run daily, with a variety of options available to cater for all fitness levels. More information about session times and programs can be found on the club’s social media platforms: Facebook & Instagram: @Topyardschoolofboxing Peterborough

The collaboration between SPARX and Top Yard is about more than just boxing, it's about creating opportunities, providing mentorship, and empowering the next generation to lead healthier, more focused lives.

For more information about Queensgate Shopping Centre and upcoming events, visit:

www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk

This Father’s Day, treat the man who does it all to something as special as he is, with a little help from Queensgate Shopping Centre.

No matter what you choose to gift him, it’s the thought that counts, not the price tag. Queensgate Shopping Centre has rounded up the best presents to suit every type of dad (and every kind of budget). From stylish wardrobe upgrades and self-care favourites to must-have gadgets and sweet treats, you’ll find something that says “Thanks, Dad” just right.

Queensgate Shopping Centre is celebrating the success of its recent sustainability-focused campaign, ‘From Waste to Wonder’, which attracted hundreds of families and visitors throughout May half term, from Monday 26 May to Saturday 1 June.

The week-long initiative brought together families, young eco-warriors, and the wider community to embrace creativity, recycling, and environmental awareness in a fun and engaging way. With a packed schedule of interactive workshops, educational installations, and hands-on eco activities, the campaign inspired visitors of all ages to rethink waste and explore sustainable living.

Throughout the week, the ReCycle Point (a dynamic, interactive drop-off installation) encouraged families to donate clean recyclables such as cans, bottles, egg cartons, and cereal boxes. These everyday items were creatively transformed into eco-friendly workshop materials, offering children a hands-on lesson in reimagining waste as something wonderful.

“We were thrilled by the response from the community and the creativity we saw throughout the week,” said Verity Swinscoe-Wigmore, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator at Queensgate Shopping Centre. “From planting herb gardens to spinning the Wheel of Waste, families embraced every opportunity to learn and play with purpose. It was a fantastic celebration of sustainable living.”

‘From Waste to Wonder’ proved that small, mindful actions can create a lasting impact. The campaign showcased the power of community in building a greener future.

For more information about Queensgate Shopping Centre and upcoming events, visit:
www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk

Queensgate Shopping Centre, BSH Recycling, and Peterborough City Council have partnered to launch the ‘From Waste to Wonder’ campaign. A creative initiative aimed at promoting recycling, sustainability, and support for local community organisations.

As part of the campaign, two 8-yard skips have been transformed into vibrant works of art by renowned local street artist Nathan “Nyces” Murdoch. These eye-catching installations celebrate and highlight the work of four local community organisations, blending artistic creativity with a powerful environmental message. The featured organisations include New Ark Adventure Playground and City Farm, Up the Garden Bath, Railworld Wildlife Haven, and Children’s Links

On Tuesday, 27 May, these skips will be unveiled in Peterborough Cathedral Square and the public are invited to bring their used plastic bottles and tin cans to the skips. After the recycling has been collected, Roland from RB7 Art Centre CIC located in Queensgate Shopping Centre will transform the materials into new works of art to launch in Summer this year.

Cllr Angus Ellis, Peterborough City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are fully committed to working with partners such as the Queensgate Shopping Centre to support positive campaigns such as ‘Waste to Wonder’. This creative initiative ties in with our key aims of raising awareness about the importance of recycling and how everyone can play a part in creating a more sustainable city.”

"Having been based in Peterborough for many years, we've always been keen to support the communities that have supported us," said Chris Seggie, Managing Director of BSH Recycling. "This 'Waste to Wonder' campaign is a fantastic way to do just that. Transforming our skips into canvases for local charities not only promotes vital recycling but also creates a highly visible and valuable platform to recognise the incredible work these groups do right here in Peterborough."

“We’re proud to collaborate on a project that brings together environmental responsibility, local talent, and community support. It is a create way to kick off our ‘Waste to Wonder’ Campaign.” said Verity Swinscoe-Wigmore, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator at Queensgate Shopping Centre.

The Waste to Wonder campaign encourages shoppers, residents, and visitors to explore the installations, learn about the featured organisations, and participate in the movement for a cleaner, greener Peterborough.

Queensgate will also be hosting a variety of fun and educational activities throughout the May half-term, including Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder Making, Create Your Own Bag for Life, Artist Q&As, and more.

For more information about Queensgate Shopping Centre and upcoming events, visit: www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk

The style stakes are high, with Race Season 2025 galloping into view, it’s time to saddle up, suit up, and show up looking like a million bucks (even if your betting slip says otherwise).

Whether you're making a statement at Royal Ascot, turning heads at Epsom Derby, or simply hosting a garden gathering with friends and fizz, your race day look deserves to be just as thrilling as the event itself.

Here's your ultimate outfit guide from Queensgate Shopping Centre, covering everything from classic tailoring to contemporary cool, topped off with accessories that shine.

Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough has been recognised for its pioneering partnership with the Cambridgeshire Police Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), reaching the finals of the 2025 WVRA (Working in Violence Reduction Awards).

While not taking home the top award, the partnership’s inclusion among the national finalists is a significant achievement, reflecting its innovation, impact, and commitment to community safety.

Established in January 2023, the partnership set out to bridge a gap between the shopping centre and local law enforcement, with the shared goal of creating a safer, more inclusive environment for shoppers, staff, and the wider community. Since its inception, the collaboration has delivered measurable reductions in violence and antisocial behaviour, and has fostered trust through proactive planning, regular communication, and joint initiatives.

A standout success of the partnership has been the launch of SPARX (Sport, Participate, Art, Recycle, eXcel) in November 2024. Introduced by Neighbourhood Inspector Lyndsay Mylchreest as part of the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build project, SPARX supports individuals facing life challenges—such as disability, disadvantage, or mental health issues—by offering opportunities in sport, the arts, and environmental initiatives. The programme empowers participants to improve their wellbeing, develop skills, and engage positively with their community.

Nicole Hughes-Bryant Operations Director at Queensgate, said: “To be named a finalist at the WVRA is a real testament to the strength of our partnership with Cambridgeshire Police and the positive outcomes we’ve seen from initiatives like SPARX. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, and we’re committed to continuing that progress. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing boundaries and supporting our community in new and meaningful ways.”

The WVRA celebrates best practices in violence reduction across the UK. Queensgate’s partnership stood out for its multi-agency collaboration, innovative community programmes, and demonstrable impact on safety and wellbeing. Judges praised its holistic approach to tackling the root causes of antisocial behaviour, empowering vulnerable individuals, and educating the public about environmental responsibility.

For more information about the WVRA, visit: www.thewvras.com

For more information about Queensgate Shopping Centre and upcoming events, visit:

www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk

Queensgate Shopping Centre has proudly planted four Silver Birch trees on its grounds as part of the innovative Nurture by Jangro scheme — a green initiative designed to give back to the environment and support local sustainability goals.

Nurture by Jangro is a unique tree-planting programme that gifts infant cell trees to customers across the UK, encouraging them to contribute to a greener, healthier planet. These saplings not only symbolise environmental responsibility but create lasting ecological impact through carbon capture, habitat regeneration, and improved biodiversity.

The Silver Birch trees gifted to Queensgate are a long-living species with an urban life expectancy of 75 years. Each tree is expected to absorb up to 3,224kg of CO2 by maturity, grows approximately 50cm per year, and reaches full maturity in 15 years. What makes the initiative even more innovative is that each tree comes with a QR code, allowing its growth to be tracked through geo-location technology.

Daisy Hunter, Sustainability and Innovations Manager at Jangro, said: “Nurture by Jangro allows us to commit to making a real impact on the environment. By providing these young trees to plant, we are supporting Queensgate on their sustainability journey whilst giving back to the environment; absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, providing homes for a range of species and helping to regenerate degraded areas. They clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, prevent soil erosion and flooding, give life to wildlife, and house ecosystems — all of which make for a better planet.”

To date, Jangro has gifted 1,486 trees to customers across the country, with Queensgate receiving four to support its ongoing green initiatives and commitment to a more sustainable Peterborough.

A spokesperson for Queensgate Shopping Centre added:

“This is a small but meaningful step in our wider journey to become a more sustainable destination. Partnering with Jangro on the Nurture scheme aligns perfectly with our environmental values and we’re proud to play a part in creating a greener future for our city and our community.”

For more information about Queensgate Shopping Centre and upcoming events, visit:

www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk