The £75million renovation set to transform historic UK city with huge outdoor market and new central fountains
Plus, one Sun Travel writer reveals secret Cambridge hotspots to avoid tourists
BIG CITY The £75million renovation set to transform historic UK city with huge outdoor market and new central fountains
THE historic city of Cambridge is set to undergo major upgrades, including the restoration of an ancient fountain.
Known as the Civic Quarter project, the council is planning on upgrading the Cambridge Market, Corn Exchange and Guildhall at an estimated cost of £75million.
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The Cambridge market will get permanent stalls if the plans go ahead
Credit: Engage Cambridge Gov.uk
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The market has been a focal point of the city for years
Credit: Alamy
The Cambridge City Council has revealed plans for upgrades for the city, which is known for its top university, beautiful buildings and punting along the River Cam.
Locals have been invited to give feedback on the more detailed plans in preparation for a planning application which will be submitted in 2025.
The scheme, which would begin in October 2026 at the earliest, will see three areas of Cambridge upgraded.
The council website explained: "The ambition of the Civic Quarter project is to improve the experience of everyone visiting the city centre by creating more inclusive and accessible buildings, and better public spaces where people can meet and enjoy cultural events."
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It also added that the project will enhance heritage sites as well as reduce water use and carbon emissions.
The Cambridge Market is a huge part of the city, having begun operating in the Middle Ages.
It is currently open Monday to Saturday with around 100 stalls selling all sorts, from food to flowers, locally made clothes and accessories.
As part of the project, the market will open seven days a week and will have new permanent stalls alongside the temporary fixtures.
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For passers-by there will be a new covered seating area and the size of the existing canopy will be reduced.
The historic fountain in the centre will be retained and restored to its former glory too.
Punting chauffeur reveals affordable way top explore city
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The fountain dates back to the 1600s but hasn't been used in years
Credit: Alamy
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The Corn Exchange will have new bars and concessions
Credit: Engage Cambridge Gov.uk
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The fountain is a long-standing feature of the city having been built in 1614 to give clean drinking water to the people of Cambridge.
It hasn't had running water for a long time and is often used as seating by the public.
The Corn Exchange is a Grade II listed building which is used as an events and concert space and is also set to undergo some changes.
As it is listed not many changes can be made, but the venue will be improved with energy-saving features, like solar panels.
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There will also be the addition of a sound and audio system to improve the overall experience at the venue.
The capacity for attendees will be able to increase, and there will be more concessions and bar areas.
The Guildhall, which is a civic building, is used for events like weddings, craft workshops and exhibitions.
Improvements made will be to reduce energy use and install a customer service centre, public cafe and work spaces.
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One Sun reporter, Sophie Warburton, lives in Cambridge and reveals the perfect time that visitors should visit the city.
She adds that one particularly busy tourist hot spot is Kings Parade which is beautiful, but there's another spot she'd rather go to.
Sophie also has advice on punting, and the times to avoid because every amateur punter takes to the water.
Plus, here are more things to do in Cambridge and how to spend a day there.
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