Local business owners worry about lack of temporary space during East Barnwell rebuild
15:37, 12 Jan 2024Updated 08:27, 15 Jan 2024
Paul Phillips, owner of the Spar in East Barnwell, is concerned about the impact of development proposals on his business(Image: Cait Findlay/Cambridgeshire Live)
Business owners in Cambridge say they could end up “losing everything” because of current redevelopment plans. The SPAR shop on Barnwell Road says there’s no plan for a temporary location while work happens and no promise they’ll get new premises afterward.
The Cambridge Investment Partnership – a joint venture between the city council and The Hill Group – put forward proposals last December to redevelop East Barnwell. The plan includes building 120 new homes across two sites plus community spaces and shops.
Paul Phillips, who opened the store with his wife Susan back in 1991, said he supports regeneration but worries about what this means for them. He said: “I lose my business, I lose my livelihood, my staff lose their jobs. We’ve been given no assurances that we can have a new unit.”
A Cambridge City Council spokesperson said they’re “committed to talking with affected businesses over the next months and years.” They added that they’ll consider what local businesses need and how they serve the community.
Since hearing about the plans, Mr Phillips says his business has lost value. He explained: “I couldn’t sell the business even if I wanted to at the moment.”
A petition has attracted more than 230 signatures(Image: Cait Findlay/Cambridgeshire Live)
He said they’ll definitely try to secure another unit later but worries about losing important services locally while construction goes on. He added: “We looked after the community and everything throughout Covid. We’ve been here for them.”
More than 230 people have signed a petition asking Cambridge City Council to “reconsider their plans in a way that protects existing businesses like SPAR Barnwell Road while still allowing for growth and improvement in our area.” It stresses that development “must not come at the expense of those who have served this community tirelessly over decades and where people call home.”
The SPAR owners have also reached out to local MP Daniel Zeichner who commented: “This is a very important redevelopment for the whole community, and I have been working with local businesses to ensure good communication with council officers. It is an exciting opportunity, but we need to make sure that local services are supported and safeguarded through what is bound to be a difficult period of change.”
Councillor Elliot Tong said many are worried about what will happen to shops along ‘Barnwell Parade’. He noted: “It’s essential that the hard-working people running these businesses aren’t let down when they’ve worked hard to support local people for many, many years – they must be supported throughout any redevelopment that goes forward.”
Green Party councillor Naomi Bennett added: “Residents rely on local shops and services. If these are to survive the long disruption of redevelopment and continue to provide the services that the area depends on, we need a robust business continuity plan for both the shops and community services.”
Cambridge City Council response
Cllr Gerri Bird, Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness said: “So far we’ve kept up regular talks with residents and businesses – meeting anyone worried -and we’ll keep consulting with everyone affected by this project over coming months. The plan would phase construction starting with Phase 1 including Community Centre & Library (which also creates commercial space). </P
“The current community facilities & shops come later in phases. We’re looking at ways to keep services going during work – thinking about leaseholders’ wishes & other options including temporary moves.</P
“We’ve done well supporting residents & businesses through similar projects before but it’s too early now for details specific to individual firms here. Any changes affecting shops probably won’t start until late 2025 at earliest.”</P
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