Market traders have expressed concerns over Cambridge City Council’s recently-published update to its redevelopment plans for Market Square.

Published on Thursday (21/08), the long-awaited plans include a redesign of the market layout and a 50-week temporary relocation of the market while the new construction takes place.

As part of its vision for a “safe and bustling” seven-day market, the Council plans to install 44 permanent lockable kiosks and 52 demountable gazebos. This redesign will replace the existing layout, which consists entirely of fixed open stalls and some vans.

Traders are fearful that the extent of redevelopment may have damaging consequences for retail businesses in the market. Some expressed concern over the financial implications of this relocation, and over the increased rent costs of the upgraded space.

Tom Wells, a fossils and crystals trader, called the plan “a waste of money, waste of time”. He told Varsity that, if it goes ahead, “the community [will be] lost, […] there will be no market”.

The project requires a “decanting” period of at least 49 weeks, during which the market will be moved to neighbouring streets while cobbles are repaired and new stalls built. The Council is proposing that King’s Parade and Sidney Street be used as a temporary market site.

Many have also taken issue with the Council’s proposal of installing permanent kiosks – reportedly to enhance the safety of the market. In a meeting last Thursday (21/08) between traders and the Council, the Council stated that the current open stalls encouraged loiterers and antisocial behaviour after dark. The market has been the site of multiple criminal incidents in recent years.

Zoe Hardinge, a second-hand book trader, told Varsity that most traders preferred the traditional stall format and “wanted things left the way they were”.

Questions were also raised during the meeting about the proposed 52 demountable gazebos which, under the current plans, would be set up and taken down daily. One trader despaired that a daily setup for retailers with large stock would be “complete chaos”.

Though both the council and traders remain in dispute, all recognise the central importance of the space to Cambridge. As one trader summarised, the “market square remains a unique space” in a city that they have “no desire” to see become uniform.

A Cabinet report is due to be published in early September outlining this business plan, as well as funding sources for the project, which are not yet confirmed.

A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council told Varsity: “We are working with a Markets Expert and our Markets Manager to develop the new business plan for the market, which has looked at other markets across the country and sets out an improved service offer for traders including enhanced cleaning, waste management processes, and a team to construct and deconstruct the demountable stalls.

“This improved offer will see a phased increase in rents in the coming years, which will bring rents more in line with those charged in other thriving UK markets, reflecting the enhanced level of support.

“We have also committed to freezing rents for the first year after any approved works are completed, so that all traders who have a contract when any construction works begin will be able to return to the new market at no additional cost.

“In addition, a decant support package has been discussed with traders,” they added.