City shopping centre to be demolished to make way for science lab, gym & hotel – and shoppers despair ‘it's a sad sight'

Scottish Sun

06-06-2025

Plans were approved last February to change the building on the land
GETTING MALLED City shopping centre to be demolished to make way for science lab, gym & hotel – and shoppers despair 'it's a sad sight'
A POPULAR shopping centre is set to be demolished in a major UK city.
The Grafton Centre in Cambridge housed just 11 retailers after years of decline.
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The Grafton Centre in Cambridge is set to be partially demolished
Credit: BPM
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It houses just 11 retailers after years of closures post-Covid
Credit: BPM
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It will be replaced by science laboratories, a hotel and a gym
Credit: BPM
Built in 1983, the shopping hub has undergone significant changes in the 40 years since it was built.
An expansion took place in the 1990s, in addition to a recent refurbishment in 2017.
Despite attempts to revive the struggling centre, Cambridge City Council approved plans to partially demolish the building in February 2024.
Led by the Pioneer Group, the demolished site will be replaced by science laboratories, plus a hotel and a gym.
It hopes to be a more productive use of the space, as the shopping centre had become run down with lots of empty units.
Over the last few years retailers like Debenhams, River Island and New Look all closed down their Grafton-Centre sites, leaving it feeling increasingly empty.
Shoppers told Cambridgeshire Live that they were "sad" to see the shopping centre so empty.
Maddy Richer said: "It's just sad because this is in the centre of Cambridge.
"I suppose it is good for the science industry but I don't know if it has to be right in the centre of Cambridge."
Locals expressed frustration that the redevelopment plan has taken so long, with the centre lying mostly empty for two years.
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Families in the area expressed concern that the science-focused redevelopment will leave the area with fewer activities for children.
Kim High told the local newspaper: "It used to be a great place for families to do activities.
"Things like that we will miss because there is not much else to do.
"I think Cambridge is just gearing towards science and not families."
With just 11 retailers left in the store, some locals said that they "don't think it is good publicity for Cambridge" and they would rather the space be put to better use.
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Some locals are looking forward to the derelict site having a purpose
Credit: BPM
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Vue has announced they will be closing this summer
Credit: BPM
The latest business to announce its departure from the store is cinema chain Vue, who will close this summer.
The closure comes as high streets up and down the country struggle to cope with the decline in footfall since Covid.
With many retailers moving online, shopping centres have seen retailers closing stores, leaving them empty and derelict.
This becomes unattractive for customers, further reducing footfall and leaving councils looking for an alternative use for these vast spaces.
With its university population and appeal for young people, the new development could provide exciting research and job opportunities.
It does, however, mark the end of a historic building once-beloved by families for its wide range of shops and entertainment options.