Following approval at Strategy and Resources Committee in November 2024, Cambridge City Council is progressing plans to reimagine the civic quarter – an area consisting of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and surrounding public spaces – by inviting bids from construction contractors and engaging with market traders on the design of the market.

The ambition of the civic quarter project 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. The heritage buildings will be progressed towards net zero and space for commercial occupiers in the Guildhall will reduce running costs and increase income to support frontline council services.

Across the civic quarter area, the proposals will also improve accessibility, biodiversity and water efficiency.

Key updates

• Design team reappointed: the design team led by Cartwright Pickard was re-appointed earlier this year to take the proposals through RIBA Stage 3 culminating in a planning submission, which is due in autumn 2025. The same team progressed the plans during 2024 through to approval at November’s Strategy and Resources Committee.
• Procuring a construction contractor: to support the project team to minimise disruption during the construction process, a construction contractor is currently being procured and should be appointed by mid-April. The early appointment of a contractor will ensure proposals submitted for planning are deliverable.
• Engaging with market traders: market traders will be directly impacted by the proposals, and the council is working closely with traders as plans progress, with regular meetings to discuss key topics including the design of the new demountable stalls, the timeline for any works on the market, and any temporary relocation during works to relay the setts and lay sub-surface infrastructure. The market will continue to trade throughout construction works, and the council will work with traders to find the best location for a temporary decant.

Cllr Simon Smith, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, said: “These are important next steps as we seek to secure the long-term viability of the Guildhall, Market and Corn Exchange.

“The appointment of a construction contractor will provide us with additional cost certainty, and it will allow us to have detailed discussions with stakeholders about the practicalities of delivering our proposals.

“This includes market traders who we know have concerns about any impact the works may have on their ability to trade during and after the works to modernise the market square. We remain committed to working together to achieve minimal impact on traders whilst we progress our ambition for a 21st century civic quarter with a modern, accessible, seven-day market.”

The stage 2 proposals for the Civic Quarter currently include:

• 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 to support the council’s plan to generate income.
• For the Corn Exchange: the proposal is to replace the roof. In a later phase the proposals are 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 progress towards net zero 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 with refurbished historic setts, to promote and prioritise pedestrians. In a later phase the proposals are for water efficiency and renewable energy, a lightweight canopy for permanent stalls, and covered seating for the general public. The rest of the market will remain available for traders with demountable stalls providing flexible space for occasional events.

To keep up to date with this project, please visit the Civic Quarter project website and subscribe for updates. Or view the engagement report on the consultation platform.