Following an announcement in July that VolkerFitzpatrick had been awarded the contract to construct the council’s new operations hub, work has now begun on site.

The new 7,500m² hub will feature offices and staff facilities for council teams responsible for essential cleaning, landscaping, maintenance, and safety services, and parking for fleet vehicles.

VolkerFitzpatrick is implementing various sustainable solutions throughout the project which will support the council’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Rather than building entirely from scratch, the £9 million contract will include refurbishing and converting an existing car showroom, significantly reducing the carbon impact of the project. The hub will also feature solar panels to reduce running costs along with provision for an all-electric fleet

Cllr Mike Davey, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “The development of our state-of-the-art Operations Hub marks a significant £9 million investment in the city’s infrastructure, and will transform the council's operational capabilities.

“It will enhance the delivery of many different council services we provide for the community such as providing speedy repairs to council homes, maintaining council buildings and keeping our streets and open spaces clean.

“The hub is also designed to meet the evolving needs of interdependent council teams and aligns with our vision for sustainable growth and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. We hope this ambitious hub will become an important cornerstone of the city’s infrastructure and help us streamline our operations, improve efficiency, and support the council’s objectives.”