City centre market to relocate for 12 months

A centuries-old market will temporarily move while a £96m city centre redevelopment gets under way.

Cambridge's Market Square has welcomed traders since the Middle Ages and the revamp is part of the redevelopment of the wider area, known as the Civic Quarter.

A Cambridge City Council report said market traders would be moved to other nearby locations after Easter and would be offered a 50% reduction for the temporary pitches.

The refurbished market is expected to open 12 months later.

The report, written by the council's assistant director of development Ben Binns, said the authority would discuss the details with traders this month.

The temporary market will contain 111 stalls across St Mary's Passage, Guildhall Street, Petty Cury, Sidney Street, Fisher Square, and King's Parade.

A planning application for the temporary stalls was submitted in August and is due to be considered by councillors at a meeting on 2 December.

The council planned to ask for permission for the temporary market to be in place for up to 18 months "to provide programme flexibility if required", Binns wrote.

Traders who choose to take up a temporary pitch will receive a 50% reduction in their rents during the relocation, the report says.

Once businesses are back at the refurbished market, the rates would be frozen at this year's levels until April 2028.

The council is also making a £50,000 fund available to help market traders with the costs of new fixtures and fittings, the report adds.

Planning permission was granted for the redeveloped 97-stall Market Square in September.

The Civic Quarter project also includes proposals for the council's Guildhall building and the Corn Exchange music venue.

The venue is due to close for refurbishment for 18 months after a final event on 31 December.

Several options are being considered for the Guildhall, including refurbishing it and renting it out, as well as selling it.

Councillors will discuss options for the Guildhall at a meeting on Monday.

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