Retail Brings Prosperity

The opening of Christ's Lane and the impending arrival of The Grand Arcade - not forgetting new developments at The Grafton shopping centre, can only be good for the Cambridge property market, says Andrew Bush, managing director of Bush Property Services.

"Cambridge has never been exactly short of reasons why it's such an attractive city," says Mr Bush. High-tech, the University, Addenbrooke's Hospital, the city's many green spaces, its lack of heavy industry and the sheer beauty of the place, coupled with its closeness to London, have always made it a good option for people looking to live -and work- well.

"To all those benefits, Cambridge can now add another. An excellent place to go shopping. For years, the city has languished in the shadows of rivals such as Norwich and Peterborough when it came to providing residents and visitors alike with a top quality shopping experience. Finally, after many years of wrangling, we now have sparkling new retail developments that, when combined with existing facilities, make Cambridge a truly all-round city.

"The newly opened John Lewis and the completely remodelled Christ's Lane (formerly Bradwell's Court) have breathed new life into city centre shopping. The Grand Arcade, when it opens next year, will truly put Cambridge on the retail map.

"Alongside that, the Grafton now has over 70 retail outlets and is attracting some of the best names on the high street and the existing Lion Yard also has a huge amount to offer in the retail stakes.

"A lot of the credit for this must go to the council, developers and the existing shopping arcades for their Love Cambridge Shopping initiative. Between them, they have ensured that the city works together to make Cambridge a desirable place to shop and that all parties are promoted in the process.

"A happy side effect of this is the benefit it brings to the property market in the city. More retail prosperity attracts more money, jobs and people into city, which inevitably has a knock-on effect on housing.

"Cambridge has always had many advantages when it comes to property and this new retail offering makes it even more desirable."