In 2025 Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council jointly commissioned an Economic Social Impact Assessment of their Traditional Retail Markets (TRMs). The assessment was in order to better understand the markets contribution to the area as well as the challenges they face.
The Assessment was conducted through consultation with traders, shoppers, local businesses and other stakeholders, as well as an online resident survey which received over 800 responses.
Findings
The Assessment found that the Traditional Retail Markets in Cambridge city and South Cambridgeshire provide a large number of benefits including:
- jobs and apprenticeship opportunities
- local character
- community and social interaction
- access to local produce and products not available elsewhere
Recommendations
Recommendations include the need to:
- support and develop existing and new South Cambridgeshire Traditional Retail Markets
- recognise and maximise Traditional Retail Markets' contribution to sustainable food strategies, environmental and waste management policies
- include specific policies relating to markets in the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan
- ensure markets are considered as part of any new development
- explore opportunities for partnership working between markets and local businesses
Assessment funding
The Assessment was funded by an award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
