Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, visited a number of sites in central Cambridge earmarked to benefit from just over £4.5 million arts and culture funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Joined by Cllr Mike Davey, Leader of Cambridge City Council, and Cllr Anna Smith, Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Cambridge City councillor, the visit was an opportunity for Dr Johnson to see first-hand some of the sites and businesses that will benefit from the additional funding.

The visit began at the Cambridge Leisure site, before relocating to the Guildhall in central Cambridge, and talking to market traders and visitors on the Market Square.

Funding earmarked for projects in Cambridge includes:

• £1.5 million towards improving the Market Square and Guildhall (the council’s historic headquarters). This will be delivered as part of the recently announced Civic Quarter project, a once-in-a-century opportunity to make improvements to the two sites as well as the Corn Exchange and the public areas in between, to secure the continuing success of the market and make the ageing buildings fit for the future
• £30,000 for a scheme which will enable 20 market traders in Greater Cambridge to apply for grants of £1,000 to enhance their current business operations, and access advice and support to help develop their business (a joint project with South Cambridgeshire District Council)
• £30,000 to fund The Youth Enterprise Support Programme which will support young people in Greater Cambridge who want to become market traders to get started – for example by offering free pitches (a joint project with South Cambridgeshire District Council)
• £30,000 to fund a study into the benefits of markets across the Greater Cambridge area and to understand the conditions needed for their ongoing success and future development (a joint project with South Cambridgeshire District Council)
• £3 million which has been ring-fenced to support a creative and cultural hub including space for start-ups, artists and other creatives at Cambridge Leisure.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “The Combined Authority is working with the City Council on some very exciting projects to improve Cambridge as a place to visit, shop and enjoy varied heritage and culture. It was great to see first-hand how our funding is planned to make a real difference to local residents and the visitor experience, providing a truly unique opportunity to invest back into the health and vitality of the city centre for the long-term.”

Cllr Mike Davey, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “It’s been great to have Dr Nik visit today. We’ve been able to introduce him to many of the fantastic arts and cultural offerings that are already alive and well, and to market traders who bring such vibrancy to our city centre. But we’ve also been able to talk about some of our older buildings and public spaces that are showing signs of age and will benefit from this investment.

“We have our own major £20 million investment coming forward for the Civic Quarter project over the coming years, but it’s really important to us that in the meantime we’re able to continue ongoing work to refurbish and improve our public spaces. What’s more we need to support and equip the people who bring the city to life, so these funding and support programmes are warmly welcomed, to help safeguard the future of the market and give people creative spaces to thrive.”

The three £30,000 funds were bid for jointly by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council to the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Cllr Peter McDonald, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with the City Council on these projects to support our micro businesses. Businesses of this size can quite often be left out of the bigger picture in an economy that is as vibrant as Greater Cambridge – but many go on to achieve real success after starting off small, so this initial funding can be vital. We’re particularly excited to be using the funds to expand the opportunities available to younger residents who are just be starting out in the world of business.”

• Find out more about the Civic Quarter project.
• Find out more about the support for market traders when schemes launch in the spring.