Cambridge Junction project could cost £17million

The 850-capacity J1 building could be replaced with a multi-storey facility.

Work on modernising the Cambridge Junction will cost around £17million as the city council backs proposals for a partial redevelopment.

Four options were put forward for the entertainment venue owned by Cambridge City Council to expand and improve provision for the arts and culture.

Since January of 2017, a joint project board has been examining the need for the improvements and the available options.

On Monday (January 22), the city council’s strategy and resources committee will back option three – a partial redevelopment of the site to allow the venue’s operators, Junction CDC, to pursue funding for the scheme.

Option three would allow for the replacement of the 850-capacity J1 building with a multi-storey facility. On top of the venue, which would be built around the newer J2 and J3 facilities, would be new creative workshops to provide additional rehearsal and education spaces.

The next stage for the project will be a detailed study of option three, which will look at how it fits in with a masterplan for the area and will allow Junction CDC to bid for Arts Council funding.

Cllr Lewis Herbert, Leader of the Council, said: “Cambridge Junction makes a vital contribution in bringing live performance, art and culture to us in Cambridge but also to people across the region, enabling our community to participate fully in the arts.

“These exciting redevelopment proposals will potentially ensure that Cambridge Junction continues providing the excellent cultural facilities and services that Cambridge will need in the years to come as the area’s population grows.

“We will help the Junction to win the funding they need and get as good a development plan for this site as we can. We will also make full use of further opportunities with them to make the best possible use of this site for the arts and music they deliver, and for the wider benefits Cambridge residents can gain.”

Other options for the Junction site included a repair and refurb scheme, excluded because the J1 building is ‘nearing the end of its lifecycle’, and a full redevelopment. The latter was rejected as there were ‘too many unknowns’ in terms of timescale and funding.