What is next for the Grafton Centre?
The first phase of a project transforming the site in Cambridge is expected to be finished in 2029.
What comes next for the Grafton Centre?
The site still houses major names such as H&M, Boots and Decathlon.
The first stage of a scheme to reshape a city shopping centre is now expected to be completed in 2029.
Pioneer Group was granted planning permission in 2024 to redevelop The Grafton Centre in Cambridge. That first phase had originally been scheduled for completion in 2028.
Subjit Jassy, the group’s development and asset management director, said 500,000 square feet (46,450 sq m) would be refurbished.
“In this first phase we're delivering half of that... and of that about 38,000 to 40,000 square feet (3,530 to 3,716 sq m) will be an incubator for life science and tech start-ups in Cambridge,” he added.
Subjit Jassy of Pioneer Group said the eastern section of the shopping centre will be turned into science and innovation space.
The Grafton first opened in 1984, when Queen Elizabeth II cut the ribbon.
The redevelopment of the complex will also feature a new Premier Inn hotel on East Road.
A life sciences building is also due to replace Abbeygate House on East Road, and Jassy confirmed demolition of the building had begun.
He added: “The area that we're redeveloping is really the eastern part of the shopping centre and all of that will be converted into science and innovation space.”
Pioneer Group said the redevelopment was expected to generate up to 2,000 jobs, from PhD level to entry level, within the planned new science centre.
The company also projected that the changes would add £111m to the city economy.
Speaking about the final phase of the project, Jassy said: “We are going to have to revisit the last phase to see what we're going to do.”
He said that could mean the final stage being delayed until 2030.
Centre manager John O'Shea said he was “very excited” about the development.
Manager of the Grafton Centre John O'Shea said he was “very excited about the development”.
“I think the most important thing to realise is that for us to create this life science innovation hub development, we've had to create an empty space so that we can reconstruct the space,” he added.
The site once included Mothercare, Debenhams and a cinema, all of which have since closed.
O'Shea said the site “needed to be repurposed” for several reasons, including the growth of online shopping and the impact of the pandemic.
Plans are in place for a new life sciences building and hotel on East Road.