Overview
- Operator Seventa Events confirmed the market at Parker’s Piece was closed to the public from 10am to 6pm for a sold‑out, ticketed session and said the closure was advertised online.
- Arm Holdings was reported to have hired the site for a staff‑and‑family party, though the company did not provide comment in the coverage.
- Witnesses said security turned away large crowds, including families who had travelled long distances, with some children left distressed.
- Cambridge City Council said it was aware of the private booking, declined to disclose commercially sensitive terms, and defended commercial hires as key to keeping the event running.
- Seventa operates under planning permission granted in 2023 and offers exclusive hires for up to 3,500 guests, as councillors vow to raise concerns over public access on busy days.