The Queen opened the Cresset in 1978. Funding for the project, incorporation of the Charity Company, design and building work, initial operation, and financial support was overseen by Peterborough Development Corporation (PDC). In 1987 the PDC relinquished its role in the city and handed over its community assets to Peterborough City Council.

The name "The Cresset" came from an idea by a former Chairman, Dr. Merly Thomas, who whilst on holiday in Scotland came across a Cresset which was a basket of fire, kept continuously alight and placed at the focal point of a medieval community. Around it people gathered for their meetings and social discourse. From it they took fire to light and heat their own homes.

The Charity’s objectives are….

...'to advance education and to provide, or assist in the provision of, facilities in the interests of social welfare, for recreation and leisure time occupation, in order to improve the conditions of life for the inhabitants of Bretton Township in particular and the neighbourhood of Greater Peterborough in general, with particular emphasis on provision for young people, the elderly and disabled. The Company shall pursue these objectives without distinction of age, gender, political, religious or other opinion.'

Over the past five years there have been substantial improvements made to the building, which has had a significant effect on public opinion and levels of attendance/usage.

The Cresset charity has three partner organisations based in the building: The YMCA (Cambridgeshire), The Church of The Holy Spirit and Peterborough City Council. Together they deliver a wide range of public and community services. The Cresset charity operates the building, manages the partnership and subsidies community events. It also produces a range of dance, music and drama activities for young people (see the performing arts page)

Cresset Leisure Services Limited (CLSL) is the trading subsidiary company of The Cresset (Peterborough) Limited (the charity) and carries out trading mainly in the area of entertainment, conferences & catering.

Profits made by the company are not retained but passed to the charity by a deed of covenant each year-end.

In 2003 The Cresset won the first ever Peterborough Evening Telegraph award for its Contribution to the Community. The Cresset has also won awards in recent years for staff training & Customer Care. You can always be sure of premium attention and treatment when you enter The Cresset. So browse at your leisure and pay us a visit, you're always welcome.

Within our web site you can openly browse through our world. There is something at The Cresset for everybody, from conference facilities to big name concerts. The activity changes from day to day, but the one thing that remains constant is our attitude to the customer.

The Cresset contains a wealth of different activity; there is always something to do, and always something happening. Concerts, fairs, exhibitions, shops and stalls are all part of The Cresset's rich tapestry, which draws in custom from both near and far.

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