Cambridge City Council approved plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment scheme of the city’s market square
Cambridge Market traders said they have been left in limbo as they wait for a temporary move after the approval of controversial refurbishment plans.Cambridge City Councilâs planning committee voted to approve plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the market square at the start of this month.
The council said they were âcommittedâ to keeping the market, which has operated since the Middle Ages, open â but traders are still waiting to hear where they will be moved to.
Lisa Huffer, who works at the Peter Graves florist stall, said: âThereâs so much uncertainty for traders and people want to buy their winter stock. A lot of people donât know whether to buy or not.â
The 50-year-old said she was worried that the cost of renting the new pitches would cause independent traders to be âpushed outâ.
The council said they had submitted a planning application last week for temporary stalls to be set up on a number of nearby streets, which is expected to be decided on in November. These include Kingâs Parade, St Maryâs Passage, Petty Cury and Sidney Street with more stalls available on Fisher Square and Sussex Street during busier trading periods.
Sam Findlatar, a customer, said shopping habits have already changed and moving traders could cause the market to lose even more customers.
The 52-year-old said: âThis has had such an impact, particularly in Cambridge, if you get rid of traders from this area, more people will lose their habits.â
Another trader, who did not give her name, said sheâs had her pitch for over 25 years and felt âanxietyâ over the plans. She said: âI understand it does need upgrading, but if it can be done a lot cheaper and kept as a traditional Cambridge market.â
Tom Wells, who has traded at the market since he was 13, said he feels âbetrayedâ by the council.
The 21-year-old said: âI think the people feel the same â customers feel betrayed â they went against the people they are supposed to represent. There will no longer be a market here, there will be a miniature shopping centre. Weâre not against a refurbishment, weâre just against their refurbishment â they say they have consulted us, I would say they havenât.â
One trader, who wanted to stay anonymous, said she was âexcitedâ for the scheme which she thought would improve the area.
She said: âIt will be a better area, with a better atmosphere. I think we need more security, itâs not about changing the market or architecture, itâs about the security â weâre having issues every weekend.â
Marcin Rys said: âHave you ever seen anything done by the council that actually works? I donât believe itâs going to happen like they say itâs going to happen â itâs going to be one big mess, thatâs my opinion. Weâve seen their latest achievement on Adamâs Road.
âThe city centre has got something really unique, character â they will make it like the train station, itâs cool but itâs not Cambridge.â
The 47-year-old said heâs spent 20 years building his business up and feels that the council owes them all certainty about whatâs going to happen.
A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said the application for a temporary market is being consulted on until October 7.
They said: âTrading has continued on the Market Square since the Middle Ages and the council has committed to keeping the market open throughout any works. Work on the square could start in January 2027 if councillors decide this autumn to proceed with the Civic Quarter project.
âWe propose to operate a temporary market for the duration of the works, with temporary stalls on Kingâs Parade, St Maryâs Passage, Petty Cury and Sidney Street, with additional locations at Fisher Square, and Sussex Street for busier trading periods.â

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