A little while has passed since my last post, and in that time there have been many snippets of regeneration news that I could have been updating you on. Here’s a whistle-stop run through, so read on as I cover the potential reuse of three closed town centre pubs; plans for cells at Reading police station, if not yet the gaol; a closer look at the library; and maybe a few blocks of flats just for good measure.
Continue reading “September Round-Up: Arcades, Libraries, Pubs and more”
New plans have emerged for the Broad Street Mall from latest owner AEW and their development partner McLaren Living. Proposals were exhibited earlier today in the mall, and you have a second chance to speak to the team on Wednesday 19th July between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, in the unit opposite Poundland (former New Look). I called in earlier and I can run you through the scheme, which is also presented on the consultation website.
Continue reading “Broad Street Mall Plans Resurface”
When Reading’s Purple Turtle crops up in conversation, you always know it’ll be accompanied with a smile and a story. And now its owners are writing another chapter with the submission of plans for a new venue behind an adjacent vacant property on Gun Street. The new room, which will be connected through from the existing bar, will bring more live events, such as bands, comedy and theatre into the town centre. Owner Greg Muden explained further that “the new space will enable us to put on a much more diverse programme of live entertainment. It will be a good asset for the community, for events such as Reading Fringe, Are you Listening?, Readipop and Oxjam.”
Continue reading “Purple Turtle Playhouse Plans Revealed”
I’ve covered this major scheme already, but with the full plans now visible online we can see all the details. The proposed 449 build-to-rent apartments are split either side of the river, with 202 on the Debenhams side and 247 on the Vue side. The cinema stays but is reduced from 11 to 7 screens. The visual above shows the scheme from the east, with the buildings reducing down to five storeys at the London Street end, with rooflines vaguely echoing the former bus depot that many will remember from the site’s former life.
Continue reading “Oracle East plans – detailed plans published”
This week it was revealed the council has secured £19.1M to progress with two highly significant projects. The Hexagon will gain a 200-seat studio theatre for performances and community use, along with a new accessible entrance foyer to the existing 950-seat main theatre. Meanwhile, the central library will relocate to a new extension of the council’s Bridge Street civic offices.
Continue reading “HexBox and library relocation plans win government funds”
The end of the year is the obvious opportunity to review the past 12 months, and to look at what’s to come during the next lap of sun. After a tumultuous year internationally, and nationally for that matter, let’s keep things local for a few minutes. 2022 saw a number of projects galloping forwards, whilst others seem perpetually stuck in the traps. One project that’s come up on the rails from nowhere is the Oracle’s major scheme, which was submitted for planning permission this week – more on that shortly. But let’s take a more leisurely canter through the runners and riders for 2023.
Continue reading “The front-runners for 2023”
Recent months have seen a flurry of new and altered plans for developments along Friar Street, as well as construction continuing on the new Friars Walk. Let’s take a look through the progress, and the context of how this street fits within the evolving story of Reading Town Centre.
Continue reading “Friar Street – Finding the Way Forward”
New concept proposals have been revealed for the eastern part of The Oracle, comprising the former Debenhams and current cinema sites. The idea has been put forward for consultation, but here I explore whether we can really afford to be too demanding in our response.
Continue reading “Oracle East – Sizing it up”
London-based developer Thackeray has revealed new plans for a Jury’s Inn on the site of Revolucion de Cuba, formerly occupied by HMV for those with long enough memories. The hotel chain had been in line to anchor a redevelopment of the old Bristol & West Arcade opposite the town hall, but that scheme fell through and the site sold on. The online consultation event, organised by Reading Civic Society, revealed further details…
Continue reading “Jury’s Inn Plan Swaps Sites”
A new tenant has been announced for the former Dawson’s Music shop on Caversham Road. Subject to licensing and planning, “Bowl Central” would be the third venture for the south-coast operator and would feature “Pins & Prizes” – aka bowling and arcade games.
Continue reading “Bowl Central, Caversham Road”
Reading-on-Thames 