I tried a Mexican meal from a bright pink truck next to Cambridge station
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I tried a Mexican meal from a bright pink truck next to Cambridge station


Alchile is loved by locals who say the food is ‘outstanding’.

Alchile, the Mexican street food van parked outside Cambridge station

The last thing you want to do after a long day at work is cook a full meal – especially if you have to commute. Luckily for those travelling to and from Cambridge station, there are a few food trucks perfectly placed along the road outside the pubs and shops.

If you fancy treating yourself to some tasty food after a day in the office, you have a couple of options ideal for a post-pint snack. It is quite hard to miss the bright pink food truck in front of the Old Ticket Office and you will definitely not want to miss the food found inside.

Alchile describes itself as a “gourmet Mexican” food spot. Its name is from Mexican slang that means “something real and honest”, which is exactly the kind of food Alchile serves up.

The CamBites series sees CambridgeshireLive reporters go around the county in search of the cheapest places to eat. None of Alchile’s main dish options cost more than £11.50 making it a more affordable spot for some expertly made food.

The food truck has received a lot of praise from Cambridge residents who say the food is ‘outstanding’ and the staff are ‘delightful’. I received a warm welcome from the staff, who waited patiently for me and my friend to decide what we wanted from the wide variety of options on offer.

I ended up choosing the burrito and picked the pork carnitas as my filling, which cost £11. My friend chose the quesadillas and the al pastor filling, which also cost £11.

We decided to try a side of tortilla chips for £1.30 and a range of dips that each cost 70p. While waiting for our food, my friend and I sat on the tables and chairs placed next to the truck that are also bright pink to match the brand’s theme.

You could watch the food being put together in front of you and it was easy to tell it had been lovingly made. The burrito came wrapped tightly in tinfoil and was packed generously with fillings.

Alongside the tender pork carnitas, the burrito was also filled with black beans, rice, pico de gallo, lettuce, cheese, and jalapenos. All of the ingredients were wonderfully flavourful and worked well together to create a warm and satisfying meal.

My friend got three quesadillas topped with the al pastor beef and melty cheese. On the quesadillas, you can choose two extra toppings from things like cilantro, red pickled onion, and queso sauce.

Even the dips were incredible. The salsa had a strong tomato flavour that had been seasoned with a few herbs.

I don’t usually enjoy guacamole but the Alchile dip was so smooth and flavourful. The sour cream was wonderfully fresh, wasn’t too heavy, and would be great to calm down any spicy sauce you might add to the meal.

The tortilla chips added a lovely crunch to my meal and were great when smothered in the different dips. The whole meal was well balanced and homemade using high quality ingredients to create clean and refreshing dishes.

Considering the food truck’s location, the price is fairly reasonable and can be maximised depending on what meal you go for. If you are ever having a post-work drink in the Old Ticket Office or are too tired to cook for yourself, you should definitely try Alchile.

Alchile can be found outside Cambridge station. The food truck is open from 11am to 9:30pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 1pm to 9:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

All of our food reviews are paid for by the writer. The establishments do not know we will be reviewing their food, allowing us to make fair judgements on each place.


Locals still divided over Mill Road bus gate after nearly a year in operation
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Locals still divided over Mill Road bus gate after nearly a year in operation


Some have said that they have seen a negative impact on their businesses, while others said that it has made a positive effect on the area by reducing congestion

A controversial Cambridge bus gate continues to divide opinions nearly a year after it came into operation. Cambridgeshire County Council installed a permanent bus gate on Mill Road in 2025, with the first fines being issued from March.

The bus gate prevents all non-exempt vehicles passing through, meaning that they must use alternative routes. Those who breach this are issued with a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days. Those exempt who can pass through without receiving a fine include buses, taxis, cyclists, and emergency vehicles.

More than 4,600 fines were issued in the first seven weeks after the bus gate was made operational, according a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Local Democracy Service. Nearly a year since the bus gate was introduced, we headed to Mill Road to find out what people now think about the bus gate.

A 23-year-old, who asked not to be named, works at Hilary’s Greengrocers. He claimed that some places on Mill Road have lost more than half of their business since the bridge closed to private vehicles.

“It has actually been a big problem”, he added. He said that he finds that there have been fewer people on the road, and said sometimes “you won’t be able to see a single person around here”.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We want Mill Road to be an enjoyable, safe place to visit, where local businesses are supported. Mill Road bridge is open to buses, those walking, wheeling, and cycling, emergency services, taxis, and vehicles that are exempt, such as those being driven by blue badge holders.”

A 50-year-old lady who gave her name as Guzel runs a business in Mill Road. She said that it has “really badly affected us” and in her opinion “it is pointless because for people using a car, when the bridge was open, it was a shortcut but otherwise they are going triple [the amount of] time to reach the other side”. Guzel said that she hopes for a good environment and fresh air. However, this “was not my solution”, she said.

Others have said that the bus gate has made a positive impact. Mill Road For People (MR4P), a group of local residents and traders, said: “One year on from the implementation of the Mill Road bus gate, we have seen a big reduction in congestion (especially on the Romsey side), cleaner air, and fewer collisions.

“There has also been a significant rise in the number of people walking and cycling, with all the health and environmental benefits that brings.” The group continued: “Many people have told us that they feel safer walking and cycling, especially with their children, building up healthy habits for the future.”

Steve Bezzant, 55, runs The Retro Shed on Mill Road. He said that “people are still coming up with push bikes or walking, so even now, it is not really affecting me.” He added: “I get most people coming in, just walking in. If they need to have a car here, they can put it there [near his store], so it hasn’t really affected me.“

Jake, who asked to use only his first name, works at Halls of Cambridge. He said that the bus gate “has slowed down business a bit more for traders than the general public“.

Rather than improving traffic, Jake believes that “it just puts congestion elsewhere“. He said that it he is not personally affected by the bus gate because he doesn’t come from that way.

A 35-year-old who works at Ocean Supermarket said that “people avoid coming here to pick up their groceries” and they “avoid coming to this area to avoid traffic”.

The Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson added: “We are currently working with our partners to explore options for future public realm improvements for Mill Road. Over the next year, we will be hosting several public events and stakeholder meetings to bring forward ideas for the street that align with the requirements of local community groups, as well as businesses, faith organisations, and charities.”


Hilton hotel in Cambridge city centre up for sale for over £60 million
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Hilton hotel in Cambridge city centre up for sale for over £60 million


The hotel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in 2021

A Hilton hotel in Cambridge city centre has been put up for sale for over £60 million. AJ Capital Partners is selling the Graduate by Hilton hotel in Mill Lane, Cambridge.

CBRE is marketing it on behalf of AJ Capital Partners and is accepting offers between £60 million and £65 million. Miles Auger, head of UK hotels at CBRE, said: “Graduate Cambridge represents an opportunity to acquire a recently refurbished hotel in one of the UK’s most competitive and internationally recognised markets.

“Given Cambridge’s demand profile and limited future supply, we expect to see strong interest from domestic and global capital.” The 148-bedroom hotel underwent a million pound refurbishment in 2021.

Its guest rooms pay homage to the University of Cambridge. The hotel also has a fitness centre with a swimming pool, more than 430m of event space, a restaurant, a café and bar and 151 parking spaces.

It is also in a convenient location, being based in the city centre. It is within walking distance of Regent Street, as well as the popular Fitzwilliam Museum and Senate House.

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Busway bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists for months
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Busway bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists for months


The closure is planned as part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s work to install safety fencing between the busway track and the pathway alongside it

Pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to use a bridge on the Guided Busway in Cambridge for a couple months, while safety works are undertaken.

Cambridgeshire County Council has said the bridge between the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Trumpington will be completely closed to cyclists and pedestrians.

One lane of the busway is also due to be closed. Buses entering the campus will be able to use the remaining open bus lane, while buses leaving the biomedical campus towards Trumpington Park and Ride and Cambridge Station will be diverted.

The county council has confirmed that a diversion route for pedestrians and cyclists will also be in place while the pathway is closed. The diversion route is proposed to go via Hobsons Avenue, Addenbrookes Road, and Francis Crick Avenue.

The safety works are due to take place between March and May. The county council said further details will be shared ahead of the start of works in these areas.

The closure is planned as part of the county council’s ongoing work to install safety fencing between the busway track and the shared pathway running alongside it.

The authority committed to installing the safety fencing to improve safety after it was fined £6million following the deaths of three people on the busway.

The county council has previously said it accepts “full responsibility for the historical failings” and has apologised to the families and friends of those affected.

Work to install the new fencing began in October last year. A spokesperson for the county council said: “Works are progressing well with the separation fencing, Trumpington Spur is due to be complete by the end of the month and the works at Pagram Way to Histon will be finished by the end of March.

“Then we’ll move onto Orchard Park to Cambridge Regional College.”

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Cambridge University college to host free Open Iftar event for Ramadan 2026
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Cambridge University college to host free Open Iftar event for Ramadan 2026


The Open Iftar event is free and open to anyone to join in.

To mark Ramadan, millions of Muslims around the world will be fasting from dawn until sunset. The holy month is said to teach people about “self-discipline and reminds them of the suffering of the poor”.

In 2026, Ramadan starts on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, and will last until Wednesday, March 18. Every year, the Ramadan Tent Project runs a Ramadan Festival described as an “annual celebration of connection, learning, and shared humanity”.

The festival involves a range of community events happening across the UK, including one in Cambridge. Cambridge University will be holding a free iftar event at King’s College in collaboration with the Ramadan Tent Project on Sunday, February 22.

The Open Iftar will allow Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and enjoy a meal after sunset as well as involving prayers and a chance to spiritually reflection. Iftar is the meal that Muslims eat after sunset to break their fast during the month of Ramadan.

The event is completely free to attend and anyone is welcome to join in. The Open Iftar is free but you do not need secure your space by booking a ticket on the Ramadan Tent Project website.

Fellow Henning Grose-Ruse Khan, who initiated the partnership with Ramadan Tent Project and King’s College Cambridge, said: “Open Iftar is a wonderful opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims from across Cambridge to gather at King’s College during Ramadan.

“Previous events have been a great success, and I’m delighted that King’s College continues to be a place that welcomes these opportunities for people of all faiths and none to gather.”

As well as King’s College, other famous venues across the UK will be holding similar events. For 2026, the Brighton Dome, the National Gallery, and AFC Wimbledon are getting involved. For the first time, the Silverstone Circuit will be hosting an Open Iftar.

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project, said: “Welcoming the return of Ramadan Festival in 2026 fills me with a profound sense of hope, our chosen theme for this year. Hope is what carries communities through challenge, inspires generosity, and reminds us that renewal is always possible. It is central to Ramadan. It is the thread that connects our past to our future, and the light that guides us towards compassion, unity, and purpose.

“Entering our 13th year, it is a remarkable to witness the incredible growth of the festival across exciting new spaces, venues and landmarks that reflect the diversity and dynamism of our nation. Allowing us to bring more people together, create deeper cultural experiences, and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan in ways that are more accessible, vibrant, and inclusive than ever before. A powerful symbol of how Ramadan is part of Britain’s rich cultural ecology.”

He continued: “Ramadan teaches us to look inward with sincerity and outward with kindness. By anchoring the Ramadan Festival 2026 in the theme of Hope, we’re honouring that tradition by inviting people from all faiths and none, turning strangers into friends, to imagine and build a future rooted in empathy, connection, and shared humanity.

“We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and guests across the UK throughout the festival. We’re excited for what this year will bring and grateful to everyone who continues to make this festival a beacon of togetherness.”


Topshop coming to Cambridge amid high street return in John Lewis partnership
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Topshop coming to Cambridge amid high street return in John Lewis partnership


The iconic brand closed its final standalone high street shops in 2021

Henry Saker-Clark Press Association Deputy Business Editor

05:00, 17 Feb 2026

John Lewis is bringing historic brand Topshop back to high streets across the UK. The fashion brand, which closed its final standalone high street stores in 2021, will appear in all of John Lewis’s 32 department stores on Tuesday (February 17).

The major launch is part of an expansion of new brands for the upcoming spring/summer season amid John Lewis’s £800 million long-term investment across its stores.

Last year, the John Lewis Partnership confirmed a partnership between the historic department store business and Topshop, starting with pop-ups in a number of John Lewis stores.

Topshop and sister brand Topman have been missing from UK high streets since former owner Arcadia collapsed into administration in 2021. The brand was bought by current owner Asos who sold Topshop products online.

Last year the brand returned to physical retail again with a launch in London department store Liberty before revealing its tie-up with John Lewis weeks later. Topshop will be available across John Lewis’s 32 shops, with Topman available in seven of its stores.

The launch will cover a collection of 130 of Topshop’s “most in-demand pieces” including their signature denim items. Topshop and Topman products will also be available across John Lewis’s online platforms as part of the launch.

Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love. From our cult denim to new‐season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day.

“Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”

The move is coinciding with London Fashion Week and will be followed by a ‘takeover’ of Piccadilly Circus in London and activations elsewhere across the UK. The launch comes amid efforts from the department store chain to drive its growth as it continues with a major transformation plan under boss Peter Ruis.

He said the brand, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose, is investing into its fashion offer to help drive its current strategy.

Mr Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, said: “This moment marks a significant acceleration of our fashion ambition at John Lewis. To be the exclusive home of an iconic brand like Topshop, sat alongside other exciting new brands, signals our commitment to be the definitive style authority on the British high street.”

John Lewis has said it is also introducing 14 new fashion, jewellery and accessory labels ahead of this season amid efforts to expand its fashion offer. It also follows a major redesign of the fashion floors at the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship shop.

Topshop products will be available at the following John Lewis stores:

  • Glasgow, Scotland
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Newcastle
  • Leeds
  • Liverpool
  • Trafford, Manchester
  • Cheadle, Manchester
  • Cardiff, Wales
  • Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
  • Leicester, Leicestershire
  • Solihull, West Midlands
  • Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  • Norwich, Norfolk
  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
  • Welwyn, Hertfordshire
  • Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
  • Chelmsford, Essex
  • Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
  • Exeter, Devon
  • Oxford, Oxfordshire
  • High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
  • Reading, Berkshire
  • Bluewater Kent
  • Horsham, West Sussex
  • Southampton, Hampshire
  • Brent Cross, London
  • Stratford, London
  • Canary Wharf, London
  • Oxford Street, London
  • Peter Jones, London
  • White City, London
  • Kingston, London


Firefighters tackle huge blaze that affected three homes in Cambridge
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Firefighters tackle huge blaze that affected three homes in Cambridge


The fire service was called to a main road in Cambridge with reports of a roof fire

08:30, 12 Feb 2026Updated 08:52, 12 Feb 2026

A fire broke out at a property in Cambridge on Wednesday night (February 11). Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Elizabeth Way in Chesterton, Cambridge, at around 10:30pm with reports of a roof fire.

Firefighters from Cambridge and Cottenham attended and crews arrived to find a fire in the roof of a house. The fire ultimately affected three properties.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called just after 10:30pm to reports of a roof fire on Elizabeth Way in Chesterton, Cambridge. Crews from Cambridge and Cottenham attended along with the aerial appliance and command unit.

“Firefighters arrived to find a fire in the roof of a house, which affected three properties. They used hose reels to extinguish the fire and a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the smoke.

“A fire investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.41pm yesterday (11 February) with reports of a fire at a property in Elizabeth Way, Cambridge. Officers attended and the road was closed while fire crews tackled the blaze.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.”

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Man jailed after stealing 29 Lindt chocolate bunnies
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Man jailed after stealing 29 Lindt chocolate bunnies


The thief also stole a number of other items from different shops in the city.

A man has been jailed after stealing 29 chocolate bunnies from a supermarket. Jordan Cole, 36, stole the Lindt chocolate bunnies from Sainbury’s in Sidney Street, Cambridge, on Wednesday, January 28.

Between September 30 and January 24, Cole also stole a range of items from Cambridge shops. These included perfume from John Lewis, laundry products from B&M at the Beehive Centre, meat from Aldi, in Newmarket Road, and T-shirts from Hugo Boss, in Market Hill.

He also breached his criminal behaviour order (CBO) by entering the Aldi on Newmarket Road. At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 30, Cole, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft and breaching a CBO.

He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £300 in compensation.

PC Alex Thake, who investigated, said: “Cole’s series of thefts caused significant distress and upheaval for businesses and their employees. We take shoplifting offences seriously and will continue to work hard to bring offenders to justice.”

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