Policy J/MS: Markets and street trading

1. Proposals that seek to protect and enhance the daily market in the Market Square or the arts and crafts market on All Saints Garden will be supported. 

2. Proposals for new markets and street trading operators in existing and emerging Designated Centres will be supported where they: 

  a. maintain and add to the vitality, viability and diversity of the centre, complement the retail function and, in emerging centres, do not demonstrably compete with permanent retail units; 

  b. would not give rise to a detrimental effect, individually or cumulatively, on the character or amenity of the area through smell, litter, noise or traffic problems, including obstructions for the movement and safety of pedestrians, mobility- assisted users or emergency services; 

  c. secure appropriate public realm and utilities improvements, where necessary, to ensure the safe operation of street trader activities and maintain public access; and 

  d. are designed to enable flexible usage for a range of other community and cultural activities.

Local markets and street traders can help attract visitors to a centre by providing goods for sale that may not otherwise be available on the high street. In new centres where retail units may not be available or retail occupiers have yet to establish themselves, local markets and street traders can provide local people with valuable access to food, goods and services that are not available on a permanent basis. 

Beyond their practical role in supplying diverse products, markets also have the potential to contribute significantly to the social and economic vitality of

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

’s network of centres. They foster a sense of community by creating vibrant, inclusive spaces where people from different backgrounds can interact, connect, and engage in shared experiences. Economically, markets support local entrepreneurship by offering low-barrier entry points for small businesses and independent traders, helping to stimulate local employment and retain wealth within the community. 

Their presence can increase footfall, benefiting surrounding businesses and encouraging further investment in the area. Overall, markets play a crucial role in enhancing the resilience, diversity, and appeal of town centres, making them more dynamic and sustainable places to live, work, and visit. 

However, it is important that local markets and street traders complement the local retail and service offer within the Designated Centre to maintain the viability and vitality of permanent retail and service facilities. Permanent retail units will have additional costs compared to temporary market stalls and street traders. Small retailers and food store operators are unlikely to commit to operating permanent retail units if local markets and street traders are allowed to dominate the local retail scene. Therefore, it is important that local markets are of a size, frequency and type that allows the permanent retail units/operators to trader profitably without trade diversion. 

This is particularly important in new settlements where their designated centres are still emerging; in these circumstances, the market or street trader offer should be subject to additional testing when proposed, to ensure they support these new centres with complementary good and services. To measure their complementary nature, a simple comparison between the goods and services provided by markets and street traders and those provided by permanent shops and other high street service providers must be completed. Where there is significant overlap, in terms of provision those duplicate market or street trader providers should not be allowed to continue to offer these similar goods or services. 

Proposals will be expected to secure appropriate public realm and utilities improvements to ensure that different types of street traders can operate safely at different times of day and during different seasons. Depending on existing facilities, this may include (but would not necessarily be limited to) elements such as lighting, access to water, toilets, hand washing facilities, provision for waste disposal and level surfaces. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Topic Paper 6: Jobs (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.