Context 165 - August 2020

C O N T E X T 1 6 5 : A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 21 Food and drink how and where to relocate the traders during works. The council noted that ‘the comple- tion of the feasibility study marks the start of a multi-phase project to develop a detailed development plan and associated investment strategy for the market square.The next phase of the project is to develop a proposed vision and concept design for the square, which is capable of implementation and attracting the capital investment required to deliver it. On 28 October, ‘key stakeholders’ were invited to market square vision workshops in November and December. Kati and I managed to get on the invitation list, the first time that the council had recognised residents and shoppers as key stakeholders. Glenys Self describes the setts as ‘like a Persian carpet – a magical surface which you feel better for seeing and better for walking on.’The listing 4 notes architectural interest (‘the setts are an integral part of the mid-19th-century scheme for the expansion and re-laying of the Market Place and can be accurately dated to 1855–1856; given that the use of granite setts only became widespread from the 1830s, this is a relatively early surviving example of a large area of historic paving; the handsomely designed railings are of good quality ironwork and, other than one gate, are in their original condition’); historic interest (‘as good quality examples of 19th-century street furniture, they make an important con- tribution to the historic streetscene; along with the Grade II listed fountain in the centre of the Market Place, they form a significant ensemble of historic street furniture in the commercial and civic heart of the city’); and group value (‘they have strong group value with the listed fountain and with a large number of listed buildings sur- rounding the Market Place, notably the Grade I listed Church of St Mary the Great on the west side and the Grade II listed Guildhall on the south side’). Two days later, just before the first vision workshop, we were overjoyed to hear that Historic England had listed the setts and railings at Grade II. The elation was short-lived. Protection of the setts was a promising step, accepted without public demur by the council, but what about the market itself? All the feasibility study proposals entail moving traders and their stalls while works are carried out, but to where? The traders (well over 100, for the 99 stalls used for the seven-day market) had not been consulted individually on their views or needs. There was no indication of whether, or if so how, they could be enabled to keep going elsewhere during any of the suggested options. For those traders who might be able to come back, there was and is a clear expectation on the part of council members and officers that this will have to be to demountable stalls, otherwise the council’s vision of a flexible space used for civic events and evening entertainments could not be realised. The feasibility study did not consider the logistics for the traders, includ- ing the time and effort required to dismantle stalls in the evening and erect them in the morn- ing, the incredibly long hours that stallholders already work, or the fact that occupancy of many of the stalls changes from day to day. In January, the council held two more work- shops for invited organisations, and two for mar- ket traders.⁵ The council showed ‘comparable squares and illustrative examples’. Its presenta- tion to the traders highlighted issues, the top four of which were ‘fixed stall infrastructure presents issues to project – can’t use space for anything else. Makes square difficult to clean and attracts anti-social behaviour at night; Cambridge is a global city and the square currently is not fitting; there is a lack of seating; and it’s not pleasant for eating or just enjoying the space.’ In response, 86 stallholders have submitted a petition to the council, saying: ‘1) Fixed stalls are good in high winds, temporary stalls no good in high winds; 2) Fixed stalls no extra work (city council responsible for erecting and taking down), temporary stalls a lot of work – who will do it?; 3) Fixed stalls support stock display. Temporary stalls can’t.’ There is no sign of a resolution to the compet- ing demands on the square. What the traders want and need is the opposite of what they are being presented with by the council. Meanwhile, the only restaurant with an active frontage directly on the square, and outside tables, has just closed after 47 years, citing Covid‑19 and competition from the hot food stalls (the council has encouraged a greatly increased hot food offer in recent years). The High Street Task Force’s press release announcing support for high streets included a photo of the north end of Cambridge Market. The green umbrellas in the background belong to the closed restaurant. The council’s proposals are now on hold due to the Covid‑19 crisis. Hopefully, the pause will enable greater understanding, more realistic aspirations, and a meeting of minds. The fish stall with socially distanced queue. Leigh could not trade from a demountable stall (Photo: John Preston) John Preston is historic environment consultant for the Friends of Cambridge Market. 4 https:// historicengland.org. uk/listing/the-list/list- entry/1467164 5 www.cambridge.gov. uk/media/8381/market- square-redevelopment- stakeholder-workshop- findings.pdf