Westgate Arcade
Meet Our Retailers
Our fantastic independents in Westgate Arcade are overflowing with unique pieces for you and your summer wardrobe. Next time you come to visit us make sure you pop your head in to see what treasures they have to offer. We recently caught up with three of our retailers to find out a bit more about their unique businesses and what they love most about being an independent retailer.
Gary Leftlet & Glen English
Store Manager and E-Store Manager at Clues
Firstly, tell us a little bit about your business.
We’ve been a one door business for 30+ years selling popular and on-trend brands. We currently sell the likes of Nicce, Guess, Ellesse, Luke, Weekend Offender and Stance Socks.
What do you love about being an independent business?
We love not being just a number in a large organization. With only three members of staff, decisions are all made together, but as well as that, we can offer a more personal service for our customers and get to know them better.
What makes you unique?
With us, you’ll get service with a smile, as well as banter. The service you’ll receive will be like no other in Peterborough. We look after our customers and go the lengths to make sure they leave happy and satisfied. We’re honest and not just looking for that quick sale. If people are looking for that new sweatshirt or a pair of jeans, we’ll make sure they’re right for you.
Alastair Norwell
Co-owner of When Polly Met Fergie
Firstly, tell us a little bit about your business.
Our business first and foremost is about us producing really good quality, fresh food that is all made in house and from scratch. We don’t freeze our dishes; we don’t have a microwave anywhere in the building! We want to showcase good food, the fact that all our food is vegan is a bonus! We have a huge varied menu with plenty of options and influences from around the world.
What do you love about being an independent business?
Our customers really appreciate what we are trying to achieve and support us by coming back time and time again. There’s a certain loyalty that customers have to independent businesses when they’re well looked after in house and that has been incredible to us. We are able to take on feedback and listen to trends and to adapt our menus and events accordingly. We are also able to stay very seasonal, local and fresh with our produce.
What makes you unique?
There are a few things that make our restaurant quite unique in Peterborough, including the homemade oils we use to cook with are full of herbs and spices, we also make our own ketchup and mayonnaise. Our chips are hand cut daily, bread and cakes baked fresh each morning and a large percentage of our ingredients are sourced from Peterborough Market, the Soul Happy Zero Waste Pantry and Lawsons Market Garden.
Amanda Dinatale
Owner of Style
Firstly, tell us a little bit about your business.
We are a jewellery and accessories boutique and have been in the arcade for 12 years. We are a great place to come for gift ideas and we also have a large wedding and special occasion range.
What do you love about being an independent business?
One of the great things about being an independent business is the ability to act quickly to items the customer wants or new trends that emerge, like our men’s jewellery and gift section which has grown over the years due to demand.
What makes you unique?
Our items are often different to those you can buy on the high street and because we only buy a select number of each piece, seeing someone else wearing the same is rare. Our product knowledge and customer service is something we are proud of and we enjoy spending time helping our customers find the right present or accessory.