Cambridge civic quarter project may bring hotel to Guildhall and cut back on market stalls

A vision for Cambridge’s new ‘civic quarter’ shows the Guildhall partially transformed into a hotel with a rooftop pavilion and half of the permanent stalls on the market square removed to make way for entertainment space.

Designs for the redevelopment have been released by Cambridge City Council this week and residents are being asked to have their say on the ideas during a consultation that will last until 28 July.

Earlier this year, the Labour-run council appointed a development consultancy team, led by architects Cartwright Pickard, to ‘reimagine’ the area in central Cambridge and create a new civic quarter for the city encompassing the market, Guildhall and Corn Exchange.

But market traders and some residents fear the plans for the market “have not been thought through” and “could drive traders away”.

Ben Binns, Cambridge City Council’s development assistant director, said: “We are right at the start of this process and while we have lots of exciting ideas, we need local people to tell us how we can make these spaces better for everyone to enjoy.

“These historic sites need care and attention, so while we are investing in preserving them, we also want to make sure we’re making them fit for a 21st-century society. That includes opening up the spaces to make sure they are welcoming and accessible, targeting net zero operational carbon and water neutrality, increasing nature across the site, and creating more space for people.

“One of our objectives for the Civic Quarter project is to generate income from the Guildhall to support frontline council services that matter most to residents across the city. At this early stage in the design process, the consultancy team are talking to hoteliers as one commercial development option, as a hotel and rooftop pavilion could also increase the time visitors spend in the area, benefiting the market, retailers and suppliers, as well as creating more conferencing opportunities and jobs.”

New images from the architects show how a revamped Guildhall could feature hotel rooms and a rooftop pavilion “with stunning views of Cambridge” that would offer “space for community events, dining, and private functions, enhancing the Guildhall’s appeal and bringing in commercial income”.

They also depict a much-reduced area for permanent stalls on the market with half becoming removable to create space for “temporary evening events, Christmas markets, theatre and music performances and cultural festivals”.

There was also a new vista through the market to give better views of the Guildhall, plus more outdoor eating space.

A seven-day market would be retained but trader Phil Graves believes stallholders’ views have yet to be taken on board.

He said: “We have already told the council why removable stalls don’t work on the market. The wind is funnelled onto the square from Peas Hill and is so strong it would blow away any temporary stalls.

“I don’t know why they want to put entertainment space in the market when we have plenty of other public spaces in Cambridge such as Parker’s Piece that would be a better location – it hasn’t been thought through.

“No one can explain the logistics of putting up and taking down the market stalls and how long it would take to set up the entertainment on a market day. Also, if the market is moved for two years while this renovation takes place I doubt many traders will come back afterwards. I’m very concerned about the future of the market.”

The city council’s Lib Dem opposition leader, Cllr Tim Bick (Market) said: “I have not seen the material that the council has just published. A bit surprising, as I am supposed to be a member of a civic quarter steering group, which met last week, but this material was not shared. It will be fascinating to see what the public response is.”

Wendy Blythe, chair of the Federation of Cambridge Residents’ Associations, said: “It’s hard to take the claims made for the Civic Quarter Project seriously when there has been no response to previous questions raised about the terms of reference for the project and who agreed them.

“Where is the attempt to consult the public about the ‘amended vision’ for the future of Cambridge market or the ‘proposal to delegate authority to officers’ which was decided behind closed doors? Residents will wonder if the invitations to drop-in events and commenting are a waste of time and if this is pure window dressing.”

The city council documents said the project was about “improving the experience of residents and visitors to the city centre, by creating more inclusive and accessible buildings that are open to all, with better public spaces”. The aim is to “attract residents and visitors to spend more time in the market square, Corn Exchange, and city centre shops, restaurants and bars”. And the documents promised the “exemplar project will target net zero operational carbon, water neutrality, and a net gain of 20 per cent biodiversity, such as through tree planting to provide shade”.

If a hotel is not feasible for the Guildhall, the documents suggests further commercial space could be provided. Allia has already opened a Future Business Centre in part of the Guildhall.

The aim for the Corn Exchange would be to make it “a more modern and appealing venue with updated facilities, while exploring new commercial opportunities and reducing operational costs”. New bar areas, updated acoustics and AV, better accessibility and a wider range of daytime programmes, including educational activities, are envisaged.

But historic environment consultant John Preston warned: “They plan to have dedicated workshops for stakeholder groups, market traders and the business community and however well those are handled they are a separate workshops. This fails to meet the basic requirements of RIBA Stage One of agreeing a brief and establishing that it can be accommodated on the site because you haven’t got everybody together to look at how different interests can be reconciled.”

Residents can register at cambridge.gov.uk/ccq to attend one of these community workshops:
- Cambridge Central Library on Wednesday, 26 June, 4-6pm; or Wednesday 3 July, 4-6pm;
- Corn Exchange on Saturday 6 July, 10.30am-12.30pm; or Saturday 13 July, 10.30am-12.30pm.

A number of workshops will focus on specific themes, such as requirements for market traders and the business community, sustainability, and culture. Email info@cambridgecivic quarter.co.uk to find out more.

Pop-up events will also be held on the market square and at roadshow events. Following the engagement programme and completion of RIBA Stage 2 design work, the proposals will be considered by councillors in November.