Arcadia is possibly one of the most prominent brands to have been sold during the lockdown period, though one that was reported to already be struggling prior to their stores needing to close

One of the earliest closures in Peterborough was confirmed as the Serpentine Green store last month. However, following the announcement that Asos would be taking over the Topshop and Topman brands, the closure of the two stores in Queensgate was later confirmed.

A spokesperson from Deloitte has confirmed to Peterborough Matters that the Outfit store at Brotherhood will also be going, adding: "The stores are all closed because of lockdown and will not be reopening."

Hays Travel also closed their doors on their Serpentine Green store during lockdown, and although they will reopen in Queensgate, it will only be until their lease expires.

The Argos store in Queensgate also shut its doors in 2020, though the Maskew Avenue branch is still operating for click and collect during lockdown.

Le Petit Four Francais is one of the longest running cafes in Peterborough's city centre, but mere weeks into the lockdown, the company called a meeting to wind up the business.

Its social media pages have been inactive and there is a large pile of post at the front door - and it has been confirmed on The Gazette, the official public record, that the company Storm Catering Developments Ltd, trading as Bakehouse and Le Petit Four Francais, has been liquidated.

On April 22, one month into the lockdown, the meeting was held to confirm the resolution for winding up Le Petit Four, at 42 Bridge Street. CFS Restructuring LLP has been registered as the official liquidators.

TAMU, the dessert lounge, also closed weeks into the lockdown, offering a closing down sale on April 24.

The premises is now completely empty. TAMU was previously the only dessert lounge in Peterborough, but three more sweet-treat locations have popped up over the past few years.

Pret A Manger has also closed in Peterborough, after cutting numerous stores when businesses were first able to reopen last year.

A Pret spokesperson said: "We have taken the difficult decision to not reopen our Peterborough shop. We’re incredibly grateful to all our Team Members and will be doing what we can to help them find new job opportunities.

"Although we are working hard to adapt Pret to the new retail environment, the coronavirus pandemic has massively affected our industry and it is no longer financially viable for us to continue operations at this shop. We hope to return to Peterborough in future."

derelict solstice

Signs came down at Solstice. By Carly Beech

The Solstice also appears to have permanently closed its doors. After confirming in October that they would be closing prior to lockdown 2, the bar has not interacted with customers since and all signage from the bar has been removed from the premises.

In an announcement that was shared via posters at the venue back in October, owners revealed that they had "no other choice" other than to close until further notice.

They added: "We want to thank you for your support over the last 23 years and we hopefully look forward to seeing you all again soon."

The 10pm curfew, as well as social distancing requirements and general Covid-19 fears amongst the general public, meant that footfall has reduced significantly.

Plans were already in place to demolish The Solstice, pending approval from Peterborough City Council. A plan was submitted from MPB Structures last year to turn it into student accommodation to complement the new university.

At the time, a spokesman for MPB Structures said: "We appreciate that many local people will have wonderful memories of the club and this is a new beginning, we want the Solstice brand to continue and to support the new University, and we will be looking at how we meet changing leisure patterns.

"The Council's Local Plan for Northminster has made it difficult for the club to operate, with critical paths and roads being closed preventing access to our venue, demolition works ongoing, and general lack of investment in the Northminster area for the past 20 years. As a local family and business, we are committed to leading the much-needed regeneration of this area."