As part of Cambridge City Council’s Civic Quarter project – to reimagine the area consisting of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and surrounding public spaces – the council has met this week with market traders to discuss their requirements for new demountable stalls on Cambridge Market.
The meeting held on Wednesday (19 February) was the first opportunity for traders to consider a number of potential demountable stalls which, when used alongside new permanent stalls, will enable the seven-day market to thrive while improving security and creating flexibility within the market square.
Key updates
- Engaging with market traders: the project team heard initial reflections from more than 20 market traders on some options for potential demountable stalls. Five different tried and tested options from different manufacturers were presented at the meeting, and traders unable to attend are being invited to feedback online in the coming weeks. The stalls shown have been used at markets such as Keswick, Portobello Road, Rotherham and Alnwick, and once a shortlist is confirmed the stalls will be demonstrated to traders.
- Stages of construction: The council has reassured traders that the market will continue to trade throughout any construction works, and traders will be able to return to the Market Square once the first stage of works, consisting of the refurbishment of the setts and the upgrade to electrical infrastructure, are complete.
- Business plan for Cambridge Market: Place Partnership, a company specialising in markets, has been appointed to create a long-term business plan for Cambridge Market. The plan will support the council’s aspiration of having a modern, accessible, and seven-day market at the heart of a 21st century civic quarter.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment, said: “We are making good progress towards realising our vision for the Civic Quarter. The latest meeting with the traders was the first of several opportunities to discuss and test designs for demountable stalls on the market. We spoke to several traders at the meeting and over the coming months we will speak to as many as possible to get their feedback.
“Every option shown at the meeting has already been successfully used at markets operated across the UK and Europe, and they have been tested in all types of conditions. We are confident that we can get to a position where the traders have the comfort that demountable stalls can be extremely robust and, when used alongside the new permanent stalls, will create a flexible space and help to reduce anti-social behaviour.
“This conversation will be ongoing throughout the coming months, and there will be further opportunities for the traders, and the wider community to have their say.
“The appointment of Place Partnership as our market specialists also takes us a step closer towards realising the vision of a 21st century civic quarter with a modern, accessible, seven-day market.”
At this stage, the construction process for a future market square redevelopment is envisaged in two phases:
- Phase 1: This phase will focus on the setts and making the surface accessible to all. As the setts are lifted modern services will be installed, providing power to all market stall positions and improving the drainage network. Once this is completed, traders will be able to move back to the Market Square, if phase 2 does not progress for any reason.
- Phase 2: This phase will deliver the remainder of the public realm improvements, through Peas Hill, Guildhall Street, Wheeler Street and Corn Exchange Street. The loop around the market will also be upgraded with an upgraded surface and planting. At this point the modular, pre-fabricated canopy will be craned in.
A contractor for the project is in the process of being appointed, and all proposals are subject to the usual planning process.
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.
