On 11 November 2024 we published updated proposals for Cambridge’s civic quarter – the area consisting of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and surrounding public spaces in central Cambridge – following a summer engagement programme to hear what residents and visitors currently like, dislike, and would like to see in the area.
The proposals were published ahead of consideration by councillors at two public meetings, first at Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 21 November 2024, then at Council on 28 November 2024.
Approval was granted for £3 million to develop the design proposals through to planning application.
Why the council is investing in Cambridge’s civic quarter
As custodian of these historic sites, the council needs to invest in their upkeep, and plans to do so in a way that will generate income and reduce operational costs as part of its wider plans to balance its budget.
The ambition is to ensure the city centre attractions are fit for a 21st century society and offer a focal point for the city that residents can be proud of, while making the heritage buildings net zero and accessible and improving biodiversity, water efficiency and accessibility across the civic quarter area.
Highlights of the approved proposals
- Opening up the Guildhall. With a shared ground floor lobby with improved natural lighting and a café for the public, council staff and commercial tenants; increasing the use of the civic halls; and creating space for a cultural attraction – with the Museum of Cambridge considering a potential relocation to the Guildhall. The council’s office spaces will be consolidated, moving staff from Mandela House into the Guildhall, with commercial office space being provided on the upper floors to support the council’s plan to generate income
- For the Corn Exchange, the proposal is to increase event capacity to 2,000; transform the Parson’s Court passageway next to the Corn Exchange into a pedestrianised breakout space with food and drink offerings; add lifts to ensure full accessibility; improve back of house, Audio Visual and temperature control systems; and to get as close to net zero as possible within the building’s heritage constraints, including introducing air source heat pumps and solar panels
- For the Market Square, the proposals include introducing an accessible shared surface to promote and prioritise pedestrians; and a commitment to water efficiency and renewable energy. A lightweight canopy is also proposed to cover approximately half of the market, providing storage for permanent traders and offering covered seating for the general public. The other half would be available for additional trading during weekends and busier months, with demountable stalls, providing flexible space for occasional events.
Next steps
This project is still at an early stage. The proposals that have been approved in November 2024 are at concept stage and will continue to evolve depending on feedback from the public, market traders, council staff and local stakeholders, and financial constraints.
Next steps include:
- a procurement process taking place for the appointment of a contractor by spring 2025
- design work continuing with a planning submission expected in late summer 2025 following a second public consultation in spring 2025
- Development of a business plan to support the funding of each element of the project, with approval for funding expected to be considered by councillors in autumn 2025
Projects of this size can take time to plan and deliver, and with multiple sites being considered it may be a number of years before all the works could be delivered. There is much more work to be done through design and planning before any work would start on site. Construction work is not expected to commence before October 2026 at the earliest.
