The Market Square needs significant investment to secure long-term economic and social value for the city, and the council is committed to supporting the seven-day market to continue and thrive in the long-term.
Improvements are proposed through the council’s Civic Quarter project to reimagine the area in central Cambridge comprising the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and public spaces in between. The proposals for the Market Square build on the vision for the Market Square that was agreed in March 2022.
This vision is for a bustling seven-day market which is an accessible, attractive, welcoming, exciting and safe place to visit, shop and gather during the day and into the evening. This vision continues to inform the developing proposals for the Market Square.
Proposals include a combination of new permanent, semi-permanent and demountable stalls will mean the market can contract or expand in accordance with demand from traders, so that part of the Market Square would be available for additional trading during busier days and months, or to provide flexible space for occasional events.
Works will include relaying the historic setts to create a more level and accessible surface, improving seating and landscaping, upgrading lighting and street furniture, and prioritising pedestrians.
This will improve accessibility, make the space more welcoming for visitors and traders, and protect the historic character of the square - while ensuring the market can continue to thrive in the city centre.
Work may start on site from January 2027. The proposals are for the work on the Market Square to be completed in 12 months.
Latest updates
- On 18 June we held the latest of our regular meetings with market traders. You can see the latest updates on the proposals for new stalls under 'The proposals' heading below.
- An updated planning application for the Market Square, Peas Hill and Guildhall Street will be submitted to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning ahead of consideration by Planning Committee on 29 July 2026 - find out more about planning applications.
- A further decision on whether to proceed with the Civic Quarter project will be taken by Cabinet and Full Council in autumn 2026.
The proposals (updated 19 June 2026)
The proposals for the Market Square have been continuously evolving incorporating feedback from public engagement programmes, as well as market traders, market experts, heritage officers and the police.
The proposals now include:
- 97 stalls in total (an increase from the initial proposal of 91) - with a commitment that all current traders would be able to return
- 55 permanent stalls (an increase from the initial proposal of 27), all with integrated power and lighting, and green roofs. 43 of these would be lockable stalls; 12 would be open
- 18 semi-permanent stalls. These would be fixed to sockets in the ground and feel permanent, but would be flexible enough to be taken down on a seasonal basis when not required by traders, such as January to April when the market is quieter. They would also be adaptable for other uses, such as providing sheltered seating in the evenings
- 24 demountable stalls. These would be quicker and easier to put up and take down as required, so that part of the Market Square would be available for additional trading during busier days and months – such as in the summer or at Christmas – or to provide flexible public space when demand from traders is lower
The proposals still include commitment to:
- retaining and refurbishing the existing fountain on the market, with the aspiration of making it fully functioning in the long-term
- a covered seating area featuring parasols around the fountain, along with trees providing shelter. The proposals respond to feedback about antisocial behaviour in covered areas not being caught on CCTV
- confirmation that toilets for traders will be renovated and remain situated in the Market Square basement to support traders, and that new underground bin facilities will be provided to significantly improve waste storage and collection processes
Accessibility
The council is committed to making the Market Square, Guildhall, Corn Exchange and surrounding public spaces more inclusive and accessible through the Civic Quarter project.
Anyone who has visited the market will have seen that the ground desperately needs relaying. The pavement, road and setts on and around the market currently prevent people from accessing the market if they are wheelchair or pushchair users.
The proposals include resurfacing the whole area to make it much more accessible, while preserving the Victorian granite setts.
Temporary market arrangements during construction
The latest proposal for the temporary market to operate during any construction period, which would start in January 2027 if the proposals are approved in September 2026, would see stalls at King's Parade, St Mary's Passage, Petty Cury and Sidney Street. We are no longer considering the option of using Fisher Square due to feedback from traders.
These proposals would accommodate all current traders who wish to trade during the construction period, with 100 stalls available. However, due to space constraints, only 29 of these spaces would be able to accommodate the stalls used on the current market, with the remaining spaces needing to use smaller demountable stalls.
We are still working through the detail, with consideration being given to factors such as servicing, power supply, logistics and the potential impact on individual businesses.
A support package for market traders during works on the Market Square will include offering a 50% discount on their rent for the duration of construction (based on stall size prior to works commencing).
We have also committed to maintaining traders' pitch fees at the pre-decant level for the first 12 months on the redeveloped Market Square.
This work will continue between now and autumn 2026.
Working with traders and stakeholders
We continue to meet regularly with market traders and other stakeholders as the project progresses. This includes discussions about stall design, market management, construction phasing and temporary arrangements during the works.
We are committed to keeping traders informed and involved as more detailed plans are developed, and further updates will be shared on this page.
