Hello everyone!
First of all, to everyone who’s followed and supported PBO Guide since I started it in June — thank you. And to everyone who’s been part of the Proud of Peterborough community — hello, and welcome.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the stories over the past few days, you’ll already know that Proud of Peterborough is entering a new chapter — and I’m the person taking the reins.
So, I thought I’d properly introduce myself, explain how we’ve got here, and tell you a little about what’s coming next.
I’m Alicja, and earlier this year I started PBO Guide — The Peterborough Guide.
And, as it turns out, the story behind PBO Guide has a lot in common with the story behind Proud of Peterborough.
So, who am I?
I grew up in Peterborough, mostly around Parnwell. And, like plenty of people who grow up here, I spent a fair amount of time complaining about the city.
You know the sort of thing…
We’ve won ‘Worst City in England’ again. Yay. 🙄
But after spending some time away from Peterborough, including studying and working in different places, I came back with a slightly different perspective.
Maybe the city had changed a little. Maybe I had.
Probably both.
I started noticing that there was actually quite a lot happening in Peterborough.
There were independent businesses, new places opening, events, creative people, restaurants, workshops, activities and communities doing interesting things.
The problem was that it didn’t always feel like people knew about them.
And that was the beginning of PBO Guide.
What is PBO Guide?
The idea behind PBO Guide was quite simple:
To show people what’s good about Peterborough — and help them experience more of it.
But I didn’t want it to be just another page telling you what’s happening this weekend.
I wanted it to feel more like a digital lifestyle guide for Peterborough.
A place where you can discover what’s on, what’s new, where to eat, what to do, places you might not know about, local creatives, seasonal ideas and inspiration for making the most of life here.
Publications such as SheerLuxe have been an inspiration for the editorial approach. I love the idea of a publication that doesn’t simply tell you what exists, but helps you discover what you might want to experience.
And that’s the direction I want to take PBO Guide in.
A familiar story
When I learned more about the story behind Proud of Peterborough, I realised just how familiar it felt.
Jason started Proud of Peterborough with a desire to celebrate the city and show people the good things happening here, rather than simply accepting the negative perception that Peterborough can sometimes have.
And, in a slightly different way, that’s exactly what brought me to PBO Guide.
Sometimes you need to leave somewhere to appreciate it differently.
Peterborough isn’t perfect. No city is.
But I think there is a lot here worth celebrating — and even more that is worth discovering.
So, what happened to Proud of Peterborough?
As many of you will know, Jason has lived in America for some time now. When he moved away, he passed Proud of Peterborough on so that the page could continue.
More recently, however, the page had become quieter.
Jason came across PBO Guide and got in touch to ask whether I’d be interested in taking on Proud of Peterborough.
Otherwise, the page would eventually have ceased to exist.
For me, the answer was an easy one.
Of course.
Because although Proud of Peterborough and PBO Guide have their own identities, they share something important at their heart:
a desire to celebrate Peterborough and show the city in a new light.
What’s next?
Over the coming weeks, Proud of Peterborough will gradually become PBO Guide.
But I don’t see this as the end of Proud of Peterborough.
I see it as its next chapter.
The history behind this page, and the community that has grown around it, isn’t being forgotten. It’s becoming part of something new.
PBO Guide will continue to celebrate Peterborough, but with a broader editorial approach — from what’s happening this weekend to hidden places, creative workshops, food, music, local businesses, family activities, seasonal inspiration and the people making Peterborough what it is.
And importantly, it won’t all be “Peterborough, Peterborough, Peterborough.”
It’s also about the things that make living here enjoyable: getting creative, trying something new, discovering somewhere beautiful, supporting a local business, finding a new hobby, getting outside, meeting people and simply making more of where we live.
That’s what I want PBO Guide to help with.
So whether you’ve followed Proud of Peterborough for years, you’ve only just discovered the page, or you’re already following PBO Guide — welcome.
I hope you’ll stick around for the journey.
Proud of Peterborough isn’t being lost. It’s being transformed.
Here’s to the next chapter. 🤍
Alicja
