There’s a huge multi-million-pound plan to make over a UK city that’s world-famous for its rich history, architecture and iconic university.
Cambridge City Council is looking to revamp its city centre to ensure it is viable and that residents are proud of their area.
The aim is to carry out £55m worth of work so it becomes a destination for locals and tourists alike.
Cllr Simon Smith, executive councillor for finance, said: “The Cambridge Civic Quarter (CCQ) project aims to revitalise the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, and Market Square while maintaining a delicate balance between the needs to preserve their historical significance and modernise these heritage assets, and progress the council’s net zero ambitions.”
The plan for the Guildhall is to open up the ground floor lobby, improve natural lighting, and open a cafe for the public, council staff and commercial tenants.
The council wants to increase the usage of the civic halls and create a room for a cultural attraction – potentially relocating the Museum of Cambridge to Guildhall.
Commercial office space will be offered on the upper floors to assist the council’s revenue-generating plan, and staff from Mandela House will move into the Guildhall as part of the merger of the council’s workplace.
For the Corn Exchange, the proposal plans to expand its capacity to 2,000, converting the Parson’s Court passageway into a pedestrianised breakout area with food and drink options, installing lifts to guarantee complete accessibility, upgrading the back of house, audiovisual and temperature control systems and achieving as near net zero as feasible while adhering to the building’s heritage restrictions, which includes installing solar panels and air source.
The proposals for Market Square include a commitment to water conservation and renewable energy, as well as the introduction of an accessible public surface to encourage and prioritise pedestrians.
Additionally, a lightweight canopy covering roughly half of the market is suggested, giving covered sitting and storage for long-term traders. With demountable stalls, the other half would be open for extra commerce on weekends and during peak months, offering flexible space for occasional events.
The council is expecting to appoint a contractor by the spring and submit a planning application by the summer.
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