On Friday 19 September, the Cherry Hinton Community Hub officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Dinah Pounds. DCH directors Steve Last and Michael Porter joined councillors, volunteers and neighbours to welcome everyone into the new space. The atmosphere was warm and celebratory, just right to mark this milestone for the community.
“The community advised the design team what mattered most, and those ideas were at the heart of every decision made by both the designers and our construction team. That’s what makes the Cherry Hinton Community Hub truly special,” said Steve Last, Director at DCH Construction.
His words capture exactly why we value collaboration at DCH: it brings out the best in design, builds genuine social value, and creates places people really love.
“I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has made this building a reality,” said Councillor Anna Bailey, “The real success of this project will be measured not just in bricks and mortar, but in the friendships formed, ideas sparked, and live uplifted within these walls.”
On the Cherry Hinton project, Cambridge City Council provided the funding and project leadership, Cambridgeshire County Council partnered on library services, and the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society championed what local people really wanted. As main contractor, DCH Construction and our design partners Ingleton Wood LLP created a flexible space with energy-saving features, and accessible facilities. Together we created a space where everyone can relax, learn, and connect. From the very start our teams worked side by side, hosting community workshops, listening to local voices and weaving their ideas into every corner.
"The new Cherry Hinton Hub is a great example of partnership working in action, and we look forward to building on the success of the new library to provide a high-quality facility for many more generations of local people to enjoy," said Councillor Alison Whelan
We’re delighted to share that this collective spirit transformed the former library into a bright, welcoming hub for all. It’s already been recognised with two proud awards: Best Refurbishment Under £3 million at the 2025 Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards, and Community Contribution & Social Value at the COCCEC Awards.
The Hub’s calendar is already filling up. The day after the official opening, the first Community Day was held on Saturday 20 September. Storytime, community choir performances, drawing activities, a visit from Bud the Builder and a “Memories of Cherry Hinton” local history session brought the locals together, plus the opportunity to enjoy a cuppa in the new café!
"With the support of the City and County Councils, we've been able to give the people of Cherry Hinton what they really want - a café. The Cherry Branch is right at the heart of our community, bringing people together for food and friendship." said Cathy Wood, Chair of the Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society.
Whether you’re popping in with your little one, meeting a friend for coffee, or hosting a community event, the Cherry Hinton Community Hub is now a home for creativity, friendship, and discovery. We’re proud to have played our part, and we can’t wait to see all the moments — big and small — that will unfold there.
See the space and hear more from Anna Smith, Cabinet Member for Communities at Cambridge City Council in this Cambridge City Council Facebook reel.
Photos in this article by Ian Olsson Photography.
Want to read more about how DCH builds places with purpose? Check out our other blog posts for stories of community, design and collaboration.