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A once-busy shopping centre where many stores have shut down is set to be completely transformed under major redevelopment plans. The Grafton Centre in Cambridge will be partially demolished and rebuilt as part of a large regeneration scheme that will bring new laboratories, workspace, a hotel and updated retail space to the area. Plans for the project were approved by Cambridge City Council in February 2024.

Since then, many shops inside the centre have closed, leaving only a handful of businesses still operating. Large retailers such as Boots and Decathlon remain open, alongside some independent businesses, a gym and a ping pong parlour. However, several units now stand empty, including the former Debenhams store, which closed four years ago.

Other clothing shops have also shut their doors permanently, while the Vue cinema recently closed as well.

The Grafton Centre originally opened in 1984 and was officially launched by Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the years it has gone through several changes, including major redevelopment projects in 1995 and again in 2017.

Despite a £28 million revamp nine years ago, the complex has struggled in recent years as shopping habits changed and many centres across the UK faced difficulties following the Covid pandemic.

Developer Pioneer Group is now preparing to begin the next phase of transformation. Construction on the redevelopment is expected to start in early 2027.

A spokesperson for the developer said: "Plans for the redevelopment of the Grafton Centre continue to progress, with a dedicated marketing suite opening this week to showcase one part of the scheme - the planned lab and workspace, which will be known as 'Origin Cambridge'.

"This element of the development will support the science and technology sector, while the improved retail area is intended to keep the Grafton name.

"Abbeygate House has now been demolished, and the project team has been busy working to strengthen the designs. Construction will begin once this stage has been completed, which is anticipated to be early 2027."

They added: "Further updates will be shared as the programme progresses. In the meantime, we are already beginning to talk to organisations that are excited about the opportunity to be based in the heart of Cambridge."

Some of the centre's larger shops are expected to remain, including H&M, Decathlon and Boots, while some smaller businesses could be relocated as part of the plans.

John O'Shea, manager of the shopping centre, said he believes the redevelopment could help bring new life to the area.

"It gives the shopping centre another lease of life," he told the BBC. "I was here for the redevelopment last time round but, like many shopping centres across the UK, the Grafton suffered post-Covid."

Subjit Jassy, director at Pioneer Group, said the project would help meet growing demand for science and technology space in Cambridge.

He added: "Cambridge is one of the top places in the world for innovation and science. We felt there was a trend for science places to go back into the city centre because you get the benefit of public transport and local amenities."

But Mr Jassy also said local people had mixed feelings about the centre's decline. He said the shopping complex "used to have a place in everybody's heart" but that "a lot of the feedback was that the Grafton Centre's dying - something needs to happen."

Mr Jassy added that the aim was not to remove the shopping centre completely. "I think people recognise that this scale of shops in this location doesn't work anymore," he said.