Updated proposals for Cambridge Market provide further detail about how the council intends to support a thriving seven-day market while improving security and creating flexibility within the Market Square. 

The proposals are part of the council’s Civic Quarter project to reimagine the area consisting of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and surrounding public spaces, to protect the heritage assets and invest in them for the future.

The updated proposals have incorporated feedback from the public consultation held in the summer, market traders and market experts, heritage officers and the police. The proposals now include:

• An increase in the overall number of stalls being proposed to 94 – from the initial proposal of 91 – with a commitment that all current traders would be able to return 
• An increase in the number of permanent stalls to 36 – from the previous proposal of 27 – meaning traders who trade most often will benefit from new lockable stalls that are better designed than those currently in use on the market
• Information about which demountable stall structure will be taken forward for testing on the market, chosen based on feedback from traders on demountable stall options presented
• A smaller canopy which will now only cover a new seating area, which will be lockable out of hours, responding to feedback about antisocial behaviour in covered areas not being caught on CCTV
• A commitment to maintaining traders’ pitch fees at the pre-decant level for the first 12 months following the redevelopment of the market
• Retaining and refurbishing the existing fountain on the market, with the aspiration of making it fully functioning in the long-term – previously the proposal was to relocate the fountain
• Confirmation that toilets for traders will be situated in the basement to support traders, and that new underground bin facilities will be provided to significantly improve waste storage and collection processes

The update also includes a proposed new layout for the Market, which will be used as a starting point to invite feedback from traders at the next traders’ meetings, taking place on Wednesday 26 March.

In parallel, a draft business plan for Cambridge Market, developed by the council’s appointed market specialists Place Partnership, will be presented to traders for feedback at a subsequent traders’ meeting in May. 

Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment, said: “This is a big step forward in shaping our vision of a 21st century civic quarter with a modern, accessible, seven-day market. I am pleased we have been able to respond directly to feedback from the traders and other stakeholders, which has resulted in an increase in the number of permanent and demountable stalls we are proposing. The project team will continue dialogue with all stakeholders, as the plans evolve over the summer. 

“We will now move forward to testing the preferred demountable stall option, and continue to engage with the traders on the proposed layout and permanent stall design. It is our belief that the evolving proposals will meet the requirements of having a thriving, seven-day market, in a location that is safe and welcoming, at all times.

“We are looking forward to engaging with the wider community on the civic quarter project in the summer.”

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