Parkside c.1909

Parkside Police Station, Cambridge

History of Parkside Police Station

4 June 1932
A new Cambridge Guildhall should be built on the corner of East Road and Parkside where the site is three times as large, meeting the requirements of the Corporation for many years. The existing Guildhall on Market Hill should be replaced with shops on the ground floor and offices and flats above, councillors have recommended.
Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge East Road Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, references 32 06 04a, 06a, 06aa.

13 December 1937
A new police and fire station should be erected at Parkside, between Warkworth Terrace and East Road. The site is a very central one, had the great advantage of good access and egress from a fire-fighting point of view and the area is adequate for present and future requirements, councillors were told. Bearing in mind the possible future requirements for protection against air raids it was desirable that both police and fire stations should be in one unit on a new site
Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge East Road Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, reference 37 12 13.

28 July 1938
Plans for a new police and fire station on Parkside between Warkworth Terrace and East Road came before an Inspector. It was a central site with good access for engine and ambulances and suitable for future requirements. It comprised five houses with a pork pie factory behind. But owners, Peterhouse, did not want to sell. They were concerned about noise at night and some undesirable ‘guests’ at the police station reducing the value of adjacent property.
Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge East Road Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, reference 38 07 28.

Then and Now

The building towards the left of the picture with the pillars in front is on the corner of Warkworth Terrace and is now the premises of Barr Ellison solicitors. All the buildings to the right of this were demolished prior to the mid to late 1960’s. It is now the location of the Police Station and Fire Station.

Parkside Police Station replaced two former stations, the Borough Police Station on St Andrew’s Street and the County Police Station on Castle Street. The 60’s Fire Station as since been demolished and the site redeveloped incorporating a new Fire Station. There are plans afoot to close Parkside Police Station and relocate it to a site at Milton.

(Thanks to David Gent)