CAMBRIDGE City Council has published feedback received about the future of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and surrounding public spaces through a summer engagement programme, and thanked everyone who participated.
As custodian of these historic sites the council needs to invest in their upkeep in a way that will generate income and reduce operational costs, as part of its wider plans to make long-term budget savings.
As set out in the engagement programme, the council’s ambition is to: make the Guildhall a net zero carbon building where people can participate in local democracy; improve accessibility across the sites; upgrade the Corn Exchange with better acoustics and AV systems, more food and drink options, and energy efficiency upgrades; and keep the seven day market while creating more space for people and events.
This project is still at an early stage, with much more to be done through design and planning before any work would start on site. Some funding has been set aside to support the Civic Quarter project, but further decisions about funding would need to be taken by councillors once the updated proposals have been provided by the Cartwright Pickard-led development consultancy team.
Cllr Simon Smith, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, said: “Investing in these historic sites is an important thing to do, but it also gives us an opportunity to reduce our overheads and generate income. We are facing the same budget pressures as councils up and down the country, so we are taking a long-term view and ensuring we can balance our budget while also looking after these local landmarks.
“We have been eager to hear from local people how these spaces could be improved and I’m delighted with the level of engagement over the summer. Thank you to the 900+ respondents who shared your thoughts with us, making this the highest number of responses received since launching our new online engagement platform.
“These comments have been really encouraging, broadly endorsing our ambitions while also providing valuable insights and suggestions which can be carried forward into the detailed design stage.
“We are committed to working closely with market traders to ensure a prosperous future for the seven-day market. Thanks to all traders who have engaged with us. Please be assured that we want to continue to involve you on ways to limit the impact any future working could have on your businesses.”
Following the engagement programme the design team is continuing to refine their ideas, ahead of providing updated proposals on 11 November for councillors to consider. If the proposals published on 11 November are approved at Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 21 November, further development work would progress beyond RIBA stage 2 in 2025, with comprehensive community engagement taking place throughout the project.
Projects of this size can take time to plan and deliver, and with multiple sites being considered it may be a number of years before all the works can be delivered.
Feedback highlights
Market Square
Feedback from the public and market traders included a desire to improve security and deter anti-social behaviour. There was also a desire for enhanced biodiversity and sustainability, with suggestions including solar panels, green spaces to sit and eat, trees to provide shade, and moss roofs.
Another key theme was accessibility, with wheelchair users highlighting the accessibility issues created by the cobblestones. And while some market traders highlighted issues with cleaning and maintaining the cobbles, other market traders and heritage groups showed a preference for retaining the historic character of the existing cobblestones.
There was also support for and against around the idea of building a permanent structure and / or including demountable stalls. In addition, concerns were expressed over the potential impacts on traders of any future work, with traders keen to hear more about how this would be managed. The council is engaging with market traders on their preferred location and implementation process if works are approved.
Corn Exchange
Feedback identified a desire for better acoustics for speaking and music events. There were criticisms about inaccessible and uncomfortable seating, and request for ground-floor toilets and better access for those with a disability. The entrance has been described as dark and unwelcoming, and suggestions were received about creating a more transparent entrance design to make it feel more inviting.
Guildhall
Suggestions from the public, and council staff, encouraged community uses ranging from libraries and cafes, to free seating areas, and affordable spaces for non-profit and community groups to hire. There was positive and negative feedback regarding the hotel proposal, with some respondents showing support for a rooftop pavilion, especially if it was open to all and not just hotel guests.There were suggestions that the Guildhall could be a more open-plan design with better visibility from the outside, less formal interiors and more comfortable seating, with modern and sustainable features such as solar panels being a recurring theme.
Public spaces
Feedback identified a desire for an overarching transport strategy. Pedestrianisation with limited vehicular access in public areas, including bicycles and delivery mopeds, was mentioned, and improvements to the cycle route around the Corn Exchange were proposed. Other suggestions included cycling infrastructure such as bike parking, a new cycle hub, improved roads, and restrictions on mopeds. There were also calls for integrating sustainable and environmentally friendly features across the civic quarter area to align with the council’s carbon reduction goals. Introduction of features such as greenery and reuse of materials was also popular.
The feedback was first shared at two events held on Wednesday 9 October – the Civic Quarter Liaison Group and a meeting with Cambridge Market traders.
To keep up to date with this project, please visit the Civic Quarter project website and subscribe for updates: cambridgecivicquarter.co.uk. Or view the engagement report on the consultation platform: engage.cambridge.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/cambridge-civic-quarter
