The History of the Cambridge Corn Exchange

Yes, it's true!
The Corn Exchange was originally…a corn exchange.

Early plans

  • 1868 The council decides to build a new Corn Exchange to replace the existing one on St Andrew's Hill, Downing Street, built in 1842 and now too small. The site of the Black Bear Inn and the adjacent building are purchased for £5,000. The building would also be used as an entertainment centre.
  • 1869 A competition is held for the design of the building, won by a local architect, Richard Reynolds Rowe.
  • 1870 An appeal brought by a local draper, Robert Sayle, is taken to the House of Lords (Attorney General vs Borough Council) on the right to spend money set aside for work on the market square, on a Corn Exchange.
  • 1873 1st December - contract is signed between the Corporation and the builder, William Elworthy of Upwell, in the sum of £5,276.

Putting up the building

  • 1873 The foundations are dug down to the remains of the Priory of Friars Hermits which had been on the site in the Middle Ages. The remains dug up by builders are given to a New Zealander to start a museum in New Zealand.
  • 1874 The foundation stone, made from Cornish granite from Cheesewring Quarry, is laid by the Mayor, John Death. The builders used a quarter of a million local bricks in yellow, red and dark blue, interspersed with bands of fancy tiles. A large statue of Jonas Webb of Babraham by Marochetti is erected by subscription of local farmers to oversee proceedings. It has now been moved again and erected in the village of Babraham.
  • 1875 The new building is opened is opened on 6th November after a civic procession from the Guildhall and a dinner for local dignitaries. The Mayor says: 'It was a building worthy of the borough…to be devoted to very useful objects of popular amusements.' A Promenade Concert is held on 8th November featuring the Coldstream Guards and a local choral society. A mistake is made during the playing of the National Anthem and later, rioters attack the Mayor's house. The following trial attracts the world's press and results in crowds of sightseers to the building, interfering with the corn trading.
  • 1898 The first motor show is held in the Corn Exchange.

Into the 20th Century

  • c.1910 - Early Motor Show
  • 1917 December groceries are moved to the Corn Exchange from the overcrowded shops in Petty Cury as queues block the street.
  • 1925 Sir Thomas Beecham conducts the London Symphony Orchestra.
  • 1935 Tea for 1000
  • 1940s Hundreds of rifles are taken to the Corn Exchange to be cleaned and repaired by local women.
  • 1950s The building becomes a popular venue for roller skating, wrestling and boxing. It is also marked out with four badminton courts and is used for county matches.
    A temporary wooden bridge is constructed above Wheeler Street from the Guildhall to the Corn Exchange for dances and balls.
  • 1965 Trading in corn ceases after a new corn exchange is built at the cattle market at a cost of £9,000. The building is hardly used and hired out as a warehouse.
  • 1970s The building is used for pop concerts, one day sales and exhibitions. In 1967 the hall can be hired for £10 10s a day (half price for locals).
  • 1971 It is decided that the building be converted to a concert hall instead of including one in the Lion yard redevelopment.
  • 1972 Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett makes his last ever public appearance supporting MC5.
  • 1973 The council starts the search for a wealthy benefactor to pay for the conversion of the Corn Exchange - dropped two years later when nobody is found.
  • 1974 1000 pop fans go on the rampage after The Drifters fail to appear at the show.
  • 1981 Corn Exchange is closed after objections from neighbours to noise caused by live bands and complaints about the state of the building. 600 young people demonstrate to 'Keep Cambridge Live' by marching from Great Northern Pub in Station Road to the Corn Exchange.
    Roof restoration work is completed and during work crests are discovered in the metal arches, representing the city, colleges, and other unidentified people/organisations (believed to be farmers' clubs and merchants).

Converting the building

  • 1982 The key is handed over to the builder to start the first stage of the conversion. This cost £210,000 more than estimated, due to unexpected problems.
  • 1983 Labour councillors threaten to quit if stage 2 and 3 of the conversion go ahead. Defeated by Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
  • 1984 Councillors finally agree to finish the conversion.
  • 1986 Rotten roof timbers are discovered in September, despite all the work previously carried out to the roof
    Building is finally complete at a cost of roughly £4million after ten years of political wrangling and financial uncertainty.
    An open weekend is held during November for the public to be shown around the building.
    3rd December - the first concert takes place, starring Box Car Willie.
  • 1987 4th February - special fanfare written by Professor Robin Orr is performed at official opening by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
    More staff needed in March as bookings up by 30% on expectations!
  • 1988 Consultants recommended a radical reorganisation in which the venue was given more independence and control over how it ran, especially financial. A new post of Director was created to lead a more self-sufficient management and staff.
  • 1998 The Corn Exchange is now described by the local media as a priceless public asset, has increased audiences by 50%, costs 30% less to run than in 1988, wins the Charter Mark for excellence in public service for the second time, is regionally and nationally renowned for its new music and contemporary events programme, is regularly grant-aided by the Arts Council of England, Eastern Arts Board, Eastern Orchestral Board & New Audiences Fund.

High-class Entertainment

  • 2003 The Corn Exchange merges with the City Council's outside events division that presents a host of outside events such as the Folk Festival, Bonfire Night, Midsummer Fair and Summer in the City. The name of the new service is Arts & Entertainments
  • 2006 Twenty years after the main refurbishment, the Corn Exchange is given an overhaul with some major redecorating and improvements being carried out to the foyer, auditorium floor, seating areas and staircases.
  • 2008 The Corn Exchange is still maintaining its image of being a top-class venue for both new and established artists, whilst continuing to break Box Office records. Over the past 20 years the Corn Exchange has seen many famous faces come through its doors, including Al Gore, Alfred Brendel, Take That, David Bowie, Oasis and the Bolshoi Ballet.
    Now in its 7th year, the Corn Exchange’s big summer musical has remained one of the highlights of the season.

Last updated: Thursday, March 27, 2008