2024 Highlights from Eddington

This year, Eddington has flourished as an active and lively neighbourhood. The importance of our community placemaking has continued to put homes and residents first, whilst promoting a vibrant district. The University of Cambridge’s stewardship over Eddington and Cambridge West has delivered many benefits including additional homes, new shops, interesting events, and special visitors which support the academic and social goals. Take a look at some of our highlights:

Supporting independent retailers to thrive

This Autumn, Eddington Square has become home to four new independent retailers. Outspoken Cycles, Green Nest, La Pizzica and No 5 The Skin Clinic all opened their doors, serving the local community in the centre of our neighbourhood. The transformation of the space supports every-day convenience and choice for residents, and is coupled with frequent pop-up traders in the Square supporting food, fitness, play and more. Eddington also welcomed the opening of a new rooftop bar which is being operated as an expansion of the popular team at Douce.

Championing placemaking and community events

Our pop-up activation events continue to provide the perfect opportunity for residents to socialise in our dedicated public and community spaces. Spring saw the return of our Eddington Beer Garden pop-up in Eddington Square. The international love of sport was celebrated with a big screen showing coverage of the Olympics in Summer, and the Winter Warmer brought festive cheer and retail therapy to the centre. Additional community activities included participation in the Cambridge Standing Tall Public Art trail where a herd of 40 artistically decorated giraffes took to the streets of Cambridge and Eddington for a highly inclusive event in aid of East Anglian charity, Break.

Across Eddington numerous small businesses, local groups and charities continued daily activities in support of the wide range of interests that support the community, ranging from Lego, nature, bats, energy, wellness, yoga, woodcraft and more! The Eddington Intergenerational Orchestra was also established and performed their maiden concert at Storey’s Field Centre in December. Bravo!

Promoting high-quality homes and growth

We were delighted to welcome Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to Eddington in the new Government’s first ministerial visit to Cambridge. The importance of the Cambridge economy, and the University’s contribution to housing and growth was emphasised, as well as the importance of quality placemaking.

Eddington is an ambitious and sustainable development and continues to provide homes for University staff to maintain the University’s status as a leading institution, as well as to support the wider housing market in the City. In September we launched the public consultation for the future phases of Eddington. Grounded in our principles are to increase the number of homes so that we can support the sustainable growth of the University and City, all the while focusing on quality placemaking and high sustainability credentials. Our proposals include active travel – supported by an existing evidence base of sustainable mode-shift – as well as open green places and shared community spaces, working in partnership with developers to bring expertise to our vision.

2025 will see the University bringing forward proposals for a new outline planning application and we encourage participation in the consultation and our events so we can create a neighbourhood where all feel welcome.