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'Declining' Cambridge shopping mall could be turned into science labs

Pioneer Group Shopping Centre PlansPioneer Group
An impression of plans to renovate the Grafton Centre

Plans have been put forward to breathe new life into a shopping centre by turning most of it into science labs and offices.

Pioneer Group has submitted a planning application for the "declining" Grafton Centre in Cambridge.

As well as the science area, they want to create a "new public square, surrounded by shops and cafes".

However the developers said that "many of the shops" were planning to stay, "including H&M, Boots and Decathlon".

Pioneer Group New shopping centre graphicPioneer Group
The proposals sketched here include keeping the cinema and gym by East Road

The manager of the Grafton Centre, John O'Shea, admitted that shopping centres needed to adapt to survive.

"I've been working in retail for many years, and the way people shop has changed," he said.

"Big store closures like Debenhams mean that the centre just doesn't have a future in its current form."

He said the planned changes would mean a smaller "shopping area" with some high street brands.

Pioneer Group Cafes and restaurants in the new centrePioneer Group
Under the plans put forward, cafes and restaurants would be based around a new open square

A public square with restaurants and shops would be created by removing part of the centre's roof.

"People do still want a local high street that offers value and convenience, and a nice place to meet friends for coffee," said Mr O'Shea.

Under the proposals, the western part of the centre would be turned into a space for science and tech companies, run by the Pioneer Group.

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