Frequently Asked Questions
Gym memberships
Vivacity operates Vivacity Premier Fitness and Hampton Leisure Centre in Hampton. Others include Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre, Bushfield Leisure Centre, Werrington Leisure Centre, Jack Hunt Pool and St George's Hydrotherapy Pool. For further information click here.
Vivacity operates a number of gyms across the city, ensuring that we have a gym close to your home or place of work. For further information on our memberships please click here.
We do offer significantly discounted rates for corporate members. To benefit from these, we do require 20 or more memberships. To find out more about our corporate memberships please contact us on 01733 864 000 or via email membership@vivacity.org
You are able to access all of our gyms under one membership. We have a range of memberships to suit all requirements and budgets, which you can view here.
We have a range of gym membership options to suit all locations and budgets. These can be viewed here.
We have a range of swimming offers and classes to suit your budget. Find out more about our range of swimming options here.
We are sorry that you are thinking about leaving us. If there is anything we can do to change your mind, please get in touch and we'll be more than happy to help you. If you wish to cancel your gym membership please complete the form.
Swimming at Vivacity
We operate swimming pools at Vivacity Premier Fitness in Hampton, the Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre and the Jack Hunt School. We also operate the St George's Hydrotherapy Pool.
We offer a wide range of swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. You can view these here.
You can view our swimming prices and timetables here. Pool access is included in many of our gym membership packages.
If you need to cancel swimming lessons please complete the cancellation form or contact swimacademycancellations@vivacity.org with your name (child name if applicable) and the membership number associated with the swimming lesson.
Or write to:
Swim Coordinator
Regional Fitness & Swimming Centre
Bishops Road
Peterborough
PE1 5BW
For more information please see swim academy membership terms conditions
Once pool fitness classes have been booked, we do not offer refunds on classes.
Heritage sites and services
For any school bookings please email vivacityforschools@vivacity.org for further information.
No, unfortunately there is not visitor parking available at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery. There are lots of city centre car parks within walking distance of the museum. If you would like more information on reserving our 1 disabled parking place, please contact us on 01733 864 663 or museum@vivacity.org
Yes, there is ample parking, including disabled places, at Flag Fen.
Yes, St Botolph's church in Longthorpe kindly allow visitors to Longthorpe Tower to park in the church car park. From here, it is a short walk to the tower.
Unfortunately we are not able to offer an identification service for all items. However, if you have discovered an archaeological object (over 300 years old - mostly found by metal-detector users, but also by people out walking, digging their gardens or whilst going about their everyday work), you can make an appointment to find out more, and register it with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (see below).
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is a voluntary programme to record small finds of archaeological interest found by members of the public. The scheme funds the posts of Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) at county councils or local museums to whom finders can report their objects Find out more at https://finds.org.uk/; contact details for Cambridgeshire's FLO are in the 'Contacts' section of this website.
Flag Fen is open seasonally, from April - September. During these times, the site is open daily 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm). During the closed season, access to the site is only possible on a private guided tour.
Longthorpe Tower is open seasonally, from April - October. During these times, the site is open Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm). During the closed season, access to the site is only possible on a private guided tour.
No, unfortunately visitors are not able to bring dogs to Flag Fen. We have livestock (rare breed sheep) on site, who are not used to dogs. The exception is support dogs, who must be kept on leads at all times please.
The vast majority of Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery is accessible by wheelchairs. There is lift access to all floors, except the Victorian Operating Theatre which is on a mezzanine of our historic Georgian building. However, in the 'History of the Building' gallery on the first floor, there is an interactive table containing a 3D rendering of the Operating Theatre.
Yes, Flag Fen is wheelchair accessible, with pathways around the site and level access to buildings. Mobility scooters are also available to borrow from the Visitor Centre (we would recommend calling ahead if you will require borrowing a scooter to access the site, so we can reserve it for you).
No, unfortunately Longthorpe Tower is not able to be accessed in a wheelchair. The entrance to the medieval tower is up an external set of wooden stairs, and access to the upper chamber is up another set of stone spiral stairs.
Wifi is available at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, but not at Flag Fen or Longthorpe Tower.
Yes, you can take photographs at our heritage sites, however they must be for your own personal use. Commercial photography may incur a charge - please contact us for more details. Please abide by any restrictions signposted at our sites during your visit, as some artefacts and exhibitions are not able to be photographed.
Squire’s Coffee House Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery serves soup, sandwiches, paninis, savoury snacks, cakes, biscuits and hot and cold drinks. The café at Flag Fen serves light refreshments such as savoury snacks, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits and hot and cold drinks. Please be aware that no food is prepared on site at Flag Fen and the café holds limited stock. If you are a group of 20+, or would like something specific, please get in touch with us to discuss pre-booking. There is no on-site café at Longthorpe Tower.
Yes, please ring Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery reception for more information, and to book.
Yes - at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, Squires Coffee House has regularly changing . Flag Fen offers a very limited selection of gluten-free/Vegan options. There is no on-site café at Longthorpe Tower.
Please contact Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery reception in the first instance, and they will be able to direct your enquiry to the appropriate member of staff. We apologise, but we are not able to accept items donated via reception, without an appointment. We need to make sure we have all the relevant information about artefacts to enable us to catalogue and care for items.
Libraries
Become a library member to enjoy borrowing books and using other library services and materials across all the Vivacity Peterborough Libraries. Membership is free to Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire residents and if you work or study in the Peterborough area.
Ways of joining:
If you join online your membership card will be available for collection at the library you have chosen.
Or
Register at your nearest Vivacity Library (within Staffed hours)
Whether you chose to book online on in person, Peterborough Libraries will need you to bring two separate documents, one showing your name and address and one showing your signature.
The following forms of identification are accepted to obtain a library card:
- Signature
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Bank or Credit Card
- Name And Address
- Driving Licence
- Receipted bills for: Gas, Electricity, Water, Telephone Bank/Cheque Card
- Council Tax Installment Book
- Bank Statement
- Medical Card
If you’re 16 or under, a parent or legal guardian’s address and ID is fine, and they will be responsible for borrowed items and any late return fees.
If you are unable to return your book before the return date you can use the online facility to renew. Click here for further information.
If you are unable to renew online due to another customer reserving the book, you will need to take the book back to the library on the due date requested.
Alternatively you can call our automated system 08458505606
or
contact your local library
If in doubt contact your local library
Sometimes books might take a couple days extra to come off on our systems.
Yes, our archives services can be found here
To avoid charges for overdue returns, please return or renew your items on time.
If you give us your email address on registration, we can send you a reminder to let you know when your items are due.
Hire charges
Top Title DVDs – £2 for 2 days. (Not renewable)
All other DVDs – £2 for 21 days. (Not renewable)
(Overdue DVDs will be charged at £1.00 or 70p per day respectively.)
Music CDs (not available in all libraries) – 90p for one week hire. (Not renewable)
Spoken word, e-books and downloadable audio books – all FREE to borrow.
Overdue charges
Adult books – 20p per day (to a maximum of £7.50 per book).
Children’s books – 5p per day (to a maximum of £3.00 per book).
Children’s picture books – No charge
DVDs – £1 per day for top titles. 70p per day for all other titles.
Music CDs – 25p
Adult talking books - 20p per day (to a maximum of £7.50 per title).
Junior talking books – 5p per day
Note: overdue charge is per item per day on which the library is open to the public
Miscellaneous pricing
Requested items
Request charge for an item already in stock in Peterborough Library – 50p
Request charge for an item from a SPINE partner Library service – £2.00
Request charge for an item from another Library service or the British Library – £4.50
Request charges for music scores – 1-30 copies – £15, 31-60 copies – £25, 61-90 copies – £30, 91-120 copies – £35, 121-150 copies – £40, 151-180 copies – £45 Orchestral sets – £15
Charge for uncollected items from another Library service or the British Library – £4.50
Membership Card
Lost card charges adult – £1.25
Lost card charges child – 50p
Fax
Fax sent to UK – 70p per page
Fax sent to all other locations – £1 per page
Fax receive – 40p per page
Photocopies
Photocopies A4 black/white – 10p per sheet
Photocopies A4 colour – 50p per sheet
Photocopies A3 black/white – 20p per sheet
Photocopies A3 colour – £1.60 per sheet
Printing
Printouts from microfilm/microfiche A4 black/white – 50p per sheet
Printouts from microfilm/microfiche A3 black/white – 80p per sheet
Computer printouts A4 black/white from Internet – 30p per sheet
Computer printouts A4 colour from Internet – 50p per sheet
Computer Sessions
Computer use by a library member after 1st hour – £1.40 per hour
Computer use by a non library member- £1.40 per hour
Advertising
Posters & advert display charges: local, noncommercial – No charge
Posters & advert display charges: other A5 – £1.20 per week
Posters & advert display charges: other A4 – £1.80 per week
Posters & advert display charges: other A3 – £3.50 per week
Small ads, business – £1.60 per week
Small ads, personal – £1.10 pert week
If you trying to find a book that you cannot find in the library and you have checked the online catalogue you can make a suggestion via this form.
SPINE is regional library services working together to offer you more.
SPINE was formally established in 2011 between Cambridgeshire and Suffolk library services.
Vivacity Peterborough Library service became a full member of SPINE in 2017. We are now offering cross border lending with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk libraries as an extra service to our customers.
If you would like to use other libraries in the SPINE partnership in person, you need to tell a member of staff to let them know that you are happy to share your membership record (personal data) with other library services in SPINE. They will then 'tick a box' so that the library system knows that you want to be able to use the full range of services on offer. You only need to do this once.
Or, if you only want to reserve items and collect them from a Peterborough Library, then you do not need to give consent for other library services to see your personal data in your membership record / account
A new option has been added to the online catalogue to allow customers to search the catalogue of other SPINE partner library services. (Click on “Try this search in the Suffolk Libraries and Cambridgeshire Libraries (SPINE Partners) Catalogue” at the top of your search results page) Once you have found the item you want, you can request it online (you will need to be logged into your account).
Or, you can visit any library in SPINE to borrow stock from theirs.
Or you can ask a member of staff on duty to help you reserve an item.
Fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs and CDs and Spoken Word can be borrowed (with some exceptions). Customers cannot reserve Games (Nintendo) from Suffolk, items held at Cambridgeshire’s Library Access Points, mobile libraries, Peterborough’s Book Bus, Suffolk Children’s Centre’s and stock in some other special collections cannot be reserved.
E-books, e-audiobooks and e-magazines are not included in this arrangement.
It will depend on whether the item is already on loan or whether other people have already reserved it. If they have you will be placed in the queue to borrow it when next available. There will be regular deliveries between the library services and then it will be distributed to your selected pick up location.
SPINE stock can only be issued by a member of library staff. Unfortunately it cannot be issued using self-service.
Items can be renewed using your online account in the usual way.
Or you can visit any library within SPINE and ask a member of staff to renew the item/s for you.
SPINE stock can be returned to any of the library services in SPINE, but needs to be returned by a member of library staff. Unfortunately it cannot be returned using self-service.
You can borrow an item for the same length of time you would borrow the same item from your 'home' library service. Most of the loan periods are the same in the SPINE library services.
It costs £2 to reserve an item from another authority in SPINE.
If you have visited another library in SPINE and borrowed an item then you will pay the fees and charges advertised for the service you borrowed it from.
If you reserve a SPINE item and collect it in your 'home' library service, then you will pay the fees and charges advertised for the item in your 'home' library service.
This applies to any loan fees for items such as DVDs and CDs and overdue charges on any item.
If you visited another library in SPINE then that library service will send you notices; if you reserved and collected from your 'home' library service then they will send your notices.
The same rules apply to lost and damaged items from library services in SPINE as they do in your 'home' library service. If this happens, please do not worry, just speak to a member of staff on duty.
Archives
The Archives Service preserves and provides access to all kinds of useful archive information and materials about Peterborough. It’s not only a useful resource, it’s also a great way to learn about the city’s history.
To find out more information on our Archive services please click here.
Please contact us to make an appointment prior to visiting to ensure we are able to assist you and have capacity that day. You can call us on 01733 864160 or email archives.services@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk
We are based in Central Library:
Peterborough Archives Service, Central Library, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RX.
We recommend that you contact us and make an appointment prior to visiting to ensure we are able to assist you and have capacity that day. You can call us on 01733 864160 or email archives.services@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk
Archives Services Opening Times:
The Archive service Is currently closed until further notice due to Government COVID 19 regulations.
Before you visit Central Library you can view our Online Catalogue which contains descriptions of resources held in our collections. Currently this covers over 4,500 catalogue entries covering many aspects of Peterborough’s history.
Once you found what you are looking for plan your visit to our archives. The Archives Service is based in the back right hand corner of the Central Library on Broadway in Peterborough. We’re about a ten minute walk away from the railway station and bus station. There is no on-site car parking but you can use the multi-storey at Queensgate shopping centre . We have coat hooks for outdoor coats and lockers for bags which we may ask you to use. On your visit if you require assistance a member of Archives will be available.
You do not need to register to use items from the local studies reference collection, microfilms of newspapers and parish registers on microfiche.
All other items require you to have registered with the service.
You do not need to register to use items from the local studies reference collection, microfilms of newspapers and parish registers on microfiche. All other items require you to have registered with the service. Registration involves filling out a simple form and showing us a proof of address. This can be something like a driving licence, bank statement or utility bill.
There are paper catalogues of our most popular collections available to consult in the reading room.
Descriptions of all our catalogued collections can be accessed onsite through our online catalogue. If you require further assistance searching the catalogue our archive staff will be available to help.
Once you know the items you wish to consult you need to fill out a document ordering slip.
Completed slips should then be handed to a staff member who will retrieve your document. Document retrieval normally takes around ten minuets and is done on demand.
Once you have finished with an item, return it to the staff member at the Archive desk.
You are normally only allowed to consult one document at a time.
You will also get instructions on how to handle the particular document that you have ordered will be handed to you along with your document.
Access to some documents is restricted in line with the wishes of depositors, the Data Protection Act, or due to the condition of the documents. Normally these are indicated on our online catalogue. However, staff may advise you of other restrictions when you are with us.
If you wish to consult an item that has an access restriction then please speak to a member of Archives and we will endeavour to accommodate your request as best we can or advise you where else you can apply for the information you require.
Archives Email: archives.services@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk
Peterborough Archives Service as part of Vivacity is a non-profit organisation. The income Vivacity generates helps preserve and make available the collections we hold. We do have copying and digital charges(which are listed below), as well as other services we can offer to help users gain access to our resources.
All our collections are available to access free on-site, if you are unable to get to Peterborough Archives Service we can do research on your behalf at a cost. We can look for information in the records we hold, including family history and local history resources. We often do checks in parish registers, census returns and local newspapers, as well as conducting more extensive research using our local history and archive collections.
Research service charges
Quick look ups:* £10
30 mins: £20
60 mins: £30 (£15 per half hour after the first hour).
*Searches and/or copies with precise dates given e.g. newspaper searches with exact date, price to include up to 5 photocopies if more than that copying charges to be added on top. If a digital image is required digitisation costs apply.
Reprographic Charges
A4 black/white photocopies per sheet (minimum charge £1.50) |
£0.75 |
A4 computer printouts per sheet |
£0.30 |
A4 colour photocopies per sheet (minimum charge £1.50) |
£1.00 |
A4 microfilm/fiche prints per sheet |
£0.50 |
A3 black/white photocopies per sheet (minimum charge £1.50) |
£1.00 |
A3 colour photocopies per sheet |
£1.50 |
A3 microfilm/fiche prints per sheet (by post £5 min charge) |
£0.80 |
Digital Images & Photographs
TIFF or JPEG image (£3.00 for additional pages of the same item) |
£5.00 |
JPEG photograph image emailed to you (min charge £5.00) |
£1.00 |
Providing digital images on a CD + P&P |
£3.00 |
Images per frame (from your own camera) |
£0.50 |
Day pass of unlimited images (from your own camera) |
£5.00 |
Remote reprographic and digital orders come under quick look up charges for single items (see research service above) where reference numbers or exact dates are known, where they are not known and research is required the hourly rate applies. If it is an order with multiple items that amounts to over £10, standard reprographic or digital charges apply.
Publication Charges (NOT copyright)
Printed material
(Books, periodicals, magazines or journals per image)
Black/white English language | £25.00 |
Black/white World Rights | £50.00 |
Colour English language | £35.00 |
Colour World Rights | £75.00 |
Educational /textbooks per image
Black/white English language | £15.00 |
Black/white World Rights | £30.00 |
Colour English language | £20.00 |
Colour World Rights | £40.00 |
Local non-profit individual/group publications incl. use in public talks
Black/white English language per image | £3.00 |
Colour English language per image | £5.00 |
Web Application publications (low res images only)
Commercial publications per image | £40.00 |
Academic publications per image | £20.00 |
Local Charity organisations per image | £4.00 |
Television, film and video
TV/film flash fee (up to 12 seconds) first use (five year rights) | £75.00 |
TV/film flash fee – each repeat (five year rights) | £38.00 |
Worldwide buyout of one image (all TV/media in perpetuity) | Contact us |
Venue hire and parties
We have a wide range of venue and room hire options across Peterborough. You can view these here.
We have a number of exciting venues and options for children's birthday parties and these can be found here.
Key Theatre
Book online
To book online, select your preferred show and performance, and then choose your seats. You will need to log in or register for an account with us.
Book By Telephone
Our friendly and helpful Box Office team are on hand to assist you with your telephone bookings. The team will also be able to offer advise on seating or access requirements, and answer any other questions you might have. Unable to get through or called up during closed times, you can still leave a message and the team will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.
Telephone 01733 207 239
or email us with your query (we will respond within 5 working days)
Email key.theatre@vivacity.org
Book in person
If you'd prefer to book your tickets in person, visit our Box Office team at the Key Theatre, you could even make an afternoon of it and stop at the Chalkboard Tea Room and Bistro.
Children under 18 months are counted as babes in arms, you do not need to book an individual ticket for them, just let the box office know you are attending with a child under 18 months.
You can by gift vouchers over the phone, by calling the Box Office 01733 207239 or in person at the box office.
The gift vouchers can also currently only be redeems over the phone or in person.
You can choose to receive your tickets by either post or by collection prior to the show.
By Post (£1 fee)
Your ticket(s) are posted to the account holders address. This £1 fee covers the postage and packaging.
By Collection (free)
Your ticket(s) are made available for collection from the Box Office, if collecting on the day of the performance please give yourself plenty of time before the show starts.
You can view all upcoming shows online and book these whenever you want. Alternatively you can call the box office at the Key Theatre. 01733 207 239 or email key.theatre@vivacity.org
If you cannot access your online account, please contact the Box Office on 01733 207239 or email key.theatre@vivacity.org
You can reset your online account password using the password reset function. Instructions to change your password will then be automatically emailed to you.
Due to legislation regarding booking fees, we have tried to make it simpler and more transparent for you, our customers, to make decisions when you book tickets.
The advertised ticket price is the total price you pay, with any fees included. This makes it much clearer when purchasing your ticket as there will be no additional transaction, processing or handling charges applied over and above the advertised ticket price. There will be a 'per ticket booking fee' included in the total ticket price and an optional £1 postage charge can be added at the point of payment if you choose this option. Your receipt will show the face value of the ticket and the booking fee separately and they will equal the total advertised ticket price.
For the majority of performances at the Key Theatre, there will be a booking fee of £1.50 per ticket included in the advertised ticket price (not included on community hires, amateur productions, family films or the annual pantomime). This fee is vital as the whole booking fee is retained by the venue (unlike the actual ticket revenue, the majority of which goes to the artistes and company involved in the performance), helping us to continue to deliver the wide range of performances and arts in the city, and maintain a convenient ticket booking system for our customers. The booking fee enables us to ensure that you will enjoy the best possible customer experience when you buy tickets from us and visit our venue, as well as helping to support the work that we do and keeping the theatre open and accessible.
Tickets must be paid for at the time of booking. Reservations are only available for groups of ten or more and payment must be received one month before the date of the performance. If you require an invoice to raise payment, this will be sent to you once the initial reservation has been arranged; detailing the expiry date on it. When your reservation is due to expire, we will make every effort to contact you to remind you of the payment date. If we are unsuccessful in our attempts to contact you via the contact details you have provided, or we do not hear from you by the time the reservation has expired, we will release your reservation without further notice or communication.
We do not usually offer refunds for tickets that have been booked and paid for.
Parking at the Key Theatre is pay and display and spaces are limited. However further parking is available nearby and Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre which is also pay and display.
PARKING CHARGES:
up to 3 hours - £1.00
4 hours - £3.30
7 hours - £5.50
FAILURE TO DISPLAY THIS TICKET MAY RESULT IN A PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE.
Vivacity Gym Members (Permit Holders ) FREE - 3 hours maximum Entry
Please press the yellow button followed by the green button. This will give you a free ticket to display next to your permit (Permits can be obtained from reception)
FAILURE TO DISPLAY THIS TICKET ALONGSIDE YOUR PERMIT MAY RESULT IN A PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE.
We also offer a handful of disabled parking spaces directly outside of the Regional pool.
Pleasure Fair Meadows 0.4miles (8 min walk to the Key Theatre)
Pleasure Fair Meadow
Oundle Road
Peterborough
PE2 9PB
We usually look for a number of children to participate in our annual pantomime and auditions are typically held in the summer. Please email panto@vivacity.org to find out more.
Disabled parking adjacent to the theatre
Wheelchair Spaces
Automatic doors
Disabled toilets
Lift to the first door
Hearing loops
Guide-dogs welcome
The Bar opens 1 hour pre-show (performances)
On a Silver Screening or family film bar will open 30 minutes before the show