Reprieve for Cambridge store after petition leads to proposal U-turn

Developers have rolled back on plans to remove the neighbourhood convenience store from a retail area around The Grafton centre in Cambridge.

The news follows a series of discussions with Liberal Democrat councillors, who had launched a petition against the proposals.

Cllr Tim Bick, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Cambridge City Council, said: “This is positive news for the surrounding residents who rely on the convenience store at the heart of their neighbourhood.”

The Grafton centre and most properties in Fitzroy Street have been purchased by Trinity Investment Management, and other Fitzroy Street and some Burleigh Street properties have been acquired by Brydell Partners.

The change in ownership has taken place over the past 12 months, with both developers setting out plans to meet the demand for laboratory space in the city rather than maintaining the current retail uses.

The change came into focus following Brydell’s planning application for the 2-14 Fitzroy Street block. It wants to replace Waitrose, Greggs bakery, two smaller units including a newsagents and the vacant former Argos premises with a lab workspace.

David Seddon, partner and head of asset management at Brydell, has now submitted a letter alongside the planning application.

He wrote: “Given the number of concerns about the potential loss of amenity, we have gone a step further with Waitrose discussions. We have appended revised plans and elevations to show how a convenience store could be incorporated into the scheme at ground floor.

“This is our intention so long as mutually viable for an occupier and ourselves. Waitrose have provided helpful advice so we can ensure it would be suitable for a convenience store occupier such as them.”

Cllr Bick said: “I am well aware nothing is guaranteed forever in a commercial relationship between landlord and tenant, but I am satisfied Brydell and Waitrose have, with our encouragement, worked together to create the right conditions for a continuation after the existing lease runs out in two years.

“We will now be talking with the other, larger new owner in Fitzroy Street, Trinity Investments, to discuss with them eventually making available a new home for Greggs, which could continue to thrive as more of the surrounding area is used for non-retail workspace.”