The Corn Exchange in Cambridge is set for a £26.5 million transformation as part of the £97.5 million Civic Quarter project, aimed at revitalizing the city center. The refurbishment will include upgrades to the main auditorium, foyers, bar areas, seating, acoustics, sound quality, and lighting. The venue's performances are expected to increase from 180 to 340 per year, with average ticket prices for council-run events rising from £24 plus VAT to £50 or more with VAT in year five of the new venue's opening.
Labour councillor Beth Gardiner-Smith expressed concerns about the potential for higher ticket prices to price out local residents. She emphasized the importance of keeping events affordable, stating, "What I don't think we want to see, but maybe others would disagree, is that people across Cambridge are priced out of going to events on a regular basis at the Corn Exchange." She added that the venue should remain a public space for the community.
The authority clarified that the price increase would only apply to events they self-promote, noting that a significant portion of their income comes from hiring out the venue, where they do not control ticket prices. The Corn Exchange restoration is part of a broader scheme that includes £50 million for Guildhall improvements and £13.6 million for Market Square enhancements.
Chair of the performance, assets and strategy overview and scrutiny committee, Liberal Democrat councillor Karen Young, acknowledged concerns about public access and promised to relay the feedback to the cabinet. The revitalized site is hoped to catalyze a renewed arts and culture scene in Cambridge, drawing on its historical roots in the UK's music scene.