Director of Neotists Richard Slade was elected as Mayor of St Neots in May 2024 and has been writing a regular column for the Hunts Posts since then. For those who don’t get the paper delivered or subscribe we it thought it would be useful for members to  read about it too.

By Richard Slade

February may be the shortest month, but it was packed with mayoral duties—one for each day on average. This month, my focus has been less on meeting residents and cutting ribbons and more on the key projects shaping St Neots.

Our timetable for The Priory Centre required its closure last year, with regular hirers relocated to New Street. This has been a great success, with residents and visitors enjoying the activities and cafe seven days a week. I highly recommend the competitively priced Sunday roast!

Over the last few months contractors have been on site at The Priory Centre undertaking internal works and studies to support the redevelopment and you’ll soon see contractors beginning refurbishment work with a timeline for reopening in late 2026. We’re also exploring the types of shows and performances we could host and will soon be asking for your views.

Our beloved Market Square and High Street have been gradually transforming into a car-free public space for everyone to enjoy. We truly appreciate your patience and support while these works take place. When we unveil the revitalised heart of St Neots this spring, we hope you’ll share our excitement.

Contractors have been carefully relaying paving around the square, High Street, and bridge, while also adding bollards to prevent damage, improve accessibility, and enhance safety. Some spot repairs will also take place on the sunny side of the High Street with minimal disruption to pedestrians and businesses. This is great news, as those wobbly slabs have long been a trip hazard.

I’m delighted that the Old Falcon will soon shed its derelict image. A planning application has been approved to restore the building with retail space on the ground floor and residential units above. This long-awaited transformation will complete the look of the square, making it far more appealing.

Our High Street continues to evolve, and unlike many towns, St Neots has been fortunate to avoid long-term empty shops. New businesses move in relatively quickly, ensuring the town is vibrant for residents and visitors.

This month, I continued training for my three-day charity cycle ride in May from St Neots to St Neot in Cornwall. As part of my preparations, I joined the St Neots Cycling Club for their annual Reliability Ride, where 100 cyclists took part in on- and off-road courses, collectively raising over £1,000 for the local food bank.

Finally, we held the Mayor’s Charity Bingo Night at the Ferro Lounge, raising over £1,000 for my chosen charities. It was fantastic to see so many new faces enjoying the evening. A special thanks to ex-Mayor Stephen Ferguson, our guest bingo caller, who clearly relished the role.