Following a programme of community engagement in summer 2024, Cambridge City Council has updated its plans to upgrade Cambridge Market, Corn Exchange and Guildhall – known as the Civic Quarter project – and is inviting people to feedback on the more detailed plans prior to a planning application being submitted later in 2025.

The ambition of the Civic Quarter project is to improve the experience of everyone visiting the city centre by creating more inclusive and accessible buildings, and better public spaces where people can meet and enjoy cultural events. Meanwhile, enhancing these heritage sites while reducing water use, carbon emissions and associated running costs, and creating opportunities to generate income to support frontline council services.

Current proposals

Cambridge Market

The proposals continue to prioritise a thriving seven-day market, which will have new permanent stalls, alongside new demountable stalls to allow flexibility on the Market Square depending on demand from traders, with demountable stalls being trialled with traders in the coming weeks.

There will be new covered seating areas to provide shade or rain shelter, with the size of the proposed canopy having reduced in line with feedback about anti-social behaviour, with better lighting also being proposed to improve safety. An underground bin storage area will reduce clutter, and the proposals also show space for small-scale cultural events and community activities, such as open-air screenings and themed markets. In response to feedback in the summer, the existing fountain will now be retained and restored, and the wider square and surrounding areas will see increased biodiversity.

Corn Exchange

The venue will be improved with energy-saving measures (including insulation and solar panels), accessibility in all areas, and better sound quality and new audio visual systems for events to ensure performances and events meet higher standards for audiences and performers.

Introducing more concessions and bar areas will enable quicker service and more food and drink options. Meanwhile event capacity will increase to accommodate more attendees, allowing for larger events and wider variety.

The Guildhall

The Grade II listed building will be conserved and designed to operate at net zero carbon, using EnerPHit principles to reduce energy use and installing Air Source Heat Pumps and solar panels. The Ground Floor will feature a new customer service centre for people visiting the council, a welcoming public café, along with a Changing Places toilet open to the public. There will be work spaces and meeting rooms for council staff, as well as work space for commercial tenants, and publicly bookable rooms for meetings or events, spanning the other floors.

The Council Chamber currently has fixed furniture and an uneven floor which makes the space difficult to access, and inflexible in terms of how it can be used, with wheelchair users forced to sit in gaps between furniture making participation in meetings difficult. While considering the Chamber’s heritage status, the latest proposals would see the fixed furniture removed (while retained for use in other parts of the Guildhall) in order for the Chamber to become accessible, usable for different types of events including community events, and able to adapt to changing requirements such as increasing number of councillors following local government reorganisation.  

The large and small halls will have sensitive modern interventions to deliver high quality multifunctional spaces. And in line with feedback received during the summer, the proposal to provide space for a hotel in part of the Guildhall has been removed.

How to get involved

The council is running a programme to engage local people between now and Sunday 22 June.

• Read more about the proposals and take the short survey online now
• Attend a community workshop:
  • Tuesday 27 May, 5 to 7pm, at the Guildhall
  • Saturday 14 June, 10 to 11.30am, at Lichfield Community Hall

Request further information or surveys in other languages or formats by emailing info@cambridgecivicquarter.co.uk

“This is our chance to create a civic quarter that reflects Cambridge’s values – forward-thinking, inclusive, and proud of its heritage,” said Cllr Simon Smith, Executive Councillor for Finance.

“We’ve listened closely to last summer’s feedback, as well as to experts providing guidance on heritage sites, carbon reduction, water reduction, biodiversity and community safety.

“This new phase of engagement is about further refining the proposals to get them right before we submit a planning application.

“Whether you’re a resident, a visitor, a trader or a business owner, please take our short survey so that you can help shape the final proposals.”