Cherry Hinton marked a new chapter in its community story on Friday 19 September, with the official opening of the Cherry Hinton Community Hub – a resident-led space designed to bring people together, foster creativity, and support local initiatives.
The award-winning hub was opened with a cake-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Dinah Pounds. There were also speeches from local dignitaries and those involved in the project.
A Community Day was held on the following day, Saturday 20 September. The event drew a vibrant crowd of residents who gathered to celebrate the hub. There was a variety of exciting events and activities on offer, including children's storytime, a performance from the Cherry Hinton Community Choir, children's crafts, and a 'Memories of Cherry Hinton' local history session.
The development of the new Cherry Hinton Community Hub is the result of a collaborative effort, with funding provided by Cambridge City Council and S106 developer contributions. The £1.6 million project was initiated to address the lack of community spaces in the area, as identified in the council’s Community Centres Strategy.
The project was developed in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society, and with support from local residents. Together, these partners are helping to deliver a welcoming, inclusive space that meets the needs of the Cherry Hinton community.
The existing building was renovated and extended to provide a better offering to the community. The new facility includes:
- A refurbished and extended Cherry Hinton Library, now fully open and modernised – managed by Cambridgeshire County Council
- A community-run café named The Cherry Branch, featuring an indoor space and a landscaped outdoor seating area – managed by the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society
- Three meeting rooms available for hire – managed by the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society on behalf of Cambridge City Council:
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- A multi-use room for events and workshops
- A room for small groups and committee meetings
- A one-to-one meeting room
- A garden area designed for relaxation and informal gatherings
Cllr Anna Smith, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This new community hub is so needed in Cherry Hinton, and I’m proud that the City Council was able to invest £1.6 million to the project. I know that this hub will take its place as a facility at the heart of the community – a welcoming space where people can meet, learn and relax. I hope that people from Cherry Hinton and beyond will come to enjoy this wonderful place.
“The opening event was a fantastic celebration of everything this community stands for — full of energy, creativity, and togetherness. I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has made this building a reality – local councillors, the City and County council staff, volunteers, partners, but especially the fantastic Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society, whose members have worked tirelessly to get this brilliant facility built and open.
“The real success of this project will be measured not just in bricks and mortar, but in the friendships formed, ideas sparked, and lives uplifted within these walls.”
Cllr Alison Whelan, Chair of the Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion committee at Cambridgeshire County Council said: "The library has been at the heart of the Cherry Hinton community since the original branch library opened in 1963, and over the years has welcomed numerous generations of local people to read, study, meet, or relax.
"Much has changed since the original library opened, but we're proud to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, support health and wellbeing, and access to digital services and skills. All alongside a variety of events and activities, including our much-loved Rhymetime and Storytime sessions, and The Library Presents programme.
"The new Cherry Hinton Hub is a great example of partnership working in action, and we look forward to building on the success of the new library to provide a high-quality facility for many more generations of local people to enjoy."
Mo Child, Chair of the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society, said "With the support of the City and County Councils, we've been able to give the people of Cherry Hinton what they really want - a café. The Cherry Branch is right at the heart of our community, bringing people together for food and friendship."
