Welcome to the latest news for Reading businesses from Reading UK. Colleagues who would like to receive this monthly newsletter can sign up here...
Pictured above: Reading Football Club has embarked on its 150th anniversary season, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the country. More below.
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The future of Reading town centre
Help shape the town centre strategy
What is the future of our town centre? Like so many places, the challenges brought on by the pandemic have exacerbated the underlying structural issues facing retail-dominated town centres. Reading town centre is at a crossroads. Do nothing and we risk the prospect of a desolate town centre but act now and we have time to reshape and rethink Reading for the future. That’s where the new Reading Town Centre Strategy can make the difference and we need your help to shape and guide it.
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How's the town centre faring?
The latest Centre for Cities research shows our town centre is overall at 54% of its pre-Covid footfall but that since restrictions were removed on 19 July, the night time economy footfall has returned strongly (55% of pre-COVID levels) while weekends are back to 70%. The latest data reflects the fact that the office population is only at 29% of its pre-COVID levels with the knock-on impact on the business of the town centre Monday-Friday. While numbers remain down, spend is actually doing very well with spending patterns at 85% of pre pandemic levels.
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Developing a place story and marketing approach for Reading
Reading UK, Reading Borough Council and the University of Reading are working together to help develop a place identity (Reading’s narrative/story) and marketing approach for Reading. We believe a new, shared place story will help build civic pride, confidence in Reading, and help us market Reading to attract inward investment, create jobs and support existing business in the town.
As key stakeholders, we would like to invite you to join one of our workshops this September to share your thoughts on the strengths and aspirations of the area. . Find out more and sign up for the workshops>>>
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Uni Cine Valley launch
A new film and TV production hub in South Reading will help provide a range of new jobs to the Thames Valley, attract inward investment to the UK, and help the British TV and film sectors to expand and diversify its talent pool.
The University of Reading Cine Valley project was launched last week at the University's Thames Valley Science Park, showcasing the kind of major productions that could make Shinfield their home in the years ahead (pictured below the University's Vice Chancellor Robert Van de Noort).
Cine Valley is a new project for the University of Reading that combines the next phase of development at the University’s Thames Valley Science Park with its expertise in education, research and collaboration with industry. Cine Valley will be more than just a location for film and creative industries. It will provide the wider network of support for a booming UK industry that is keen to support green growth, create opportunities for a more diverse workforce, and help rebalance the UK economy. A number of global film studios are already being attracted by the size, location and approach of Shinfield Studios, the main ‘anchor’ tenant for Cine Valley. Four new sound stages and associated workshops are already nearing completion, after temporary planning permission was granted earlier this year. Planning consent is now being sought for 18 sound stages and supporting workshops, offices and screening facilities.
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Are you coming back to the office in Reading?
This is Reading UK's 2nd survey on the future for the office population. In July we asked you what your/your employer's plans were with regard to future working. Please take 3 minutes to complete our follow up survey to help us assess the impact of business decisions on office vs home working over the next 12 months as we move into the post summer/post pandemic period.
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Looking to start your own business? FREE workshops available!
Reading UK is funding free 10 week courses for those looking to start their own business. Find out more about how to register >>
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£21m investment in Broad Street
AEW has bought a large retail block in Broad Street with the intention of developing a major mixed-use scheme. The purchase comprises 14 shops including Superdrug, Nationwide Building Society and JD Sports that front Broad Street and AEW propose keeping Broad Street largely as it is but extending above by up to 10 storeys to create around 180 homes.
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Station Hill development reaches next stage
The demolition of the Garrard Street car park opposite Reading Station has begun in the next stage of the Station Hill project. Once the car park has gone, the construction phase of building can get under way.
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RBC development news
Work has begun on the new leisure centre and swimming pool at Rivermead. The 25m 8-lane competition pool and diving pool is due to open by spring 2023.
The Council's Lyndhurst Road new build of 18 affordable flats for residents on the housing register include sustainable energy features such as solar panels and mechanical ventilation, as well as triple glazing to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the homes via heat recovery.
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Reading UK has launched a new project to provide a welcome to visitors at Reading Station. Run by volunteers and based by the main ticket barriers on the town centre side of the station, the Welcome Ambassadors are providing a welcome, information about Reading and its many attractions and directions for onward journeys. If you know anyone who might like to join the team of volunteers, there is more information on how to get involved here>>>
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New arrivals in Reading
Food lovers will be excited by the arrival of a number of new eateries in Reading in recent months.
Sri Lankan restaurant Coconut Tree opened in late August in Kings Road bringing Sri Lankan street food including the famous hoppers to Reading.
Duke Street is becoming the centre for Reading's Italian deli businesses with Mama's Way opening next to Madoo Deli Cafe. You can sit in the window with a glass of something while contemplating pastas, charcuterie, cheeses and more to take home.
itsu has opened its first ever full dine-in concept in Reading. The new store in Reading Gate Retail Park offers delicious, healthy and quality fast food options for lunch and dinner. “Unlike every other itsu store in the country, the full dine-in menu will be served in traditional ceramic dishes to create an authentic and sophisticated evening atmosphere. Ideal for date night, family dining or a meal out with friends”, they say!
Gordon Ramsay is bringing his Street Burger restaurant brand to the Oracle Riverside. Street Burger serves up seven classic burgers including the Hell’s Kitchen Burger and the Butternut Bhaji Burger. Coming soon.
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Reading's new arts cinema and venue, The Biscuit Factory, has an outside terrace with views down the Oxford Road. The arts centre has three screens showing a wide range of films beyond the block buster programming of the big cinema complexes. It also has a bar, community space and downstairs cafe. You can find it on the corner of Oxford Road and Queen's Walk next to the Penta Hotel.
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Where has the Crossrail project got to?
The new Elizabeth Line, which will link Reading with central London stations directly has reached the crucial testing period. Crossrail has reported to Parliament that it hopes to be running the first passenger services in February 2022 but that linking to Reading and other non-London destinations may take until autumn 2022. You can read the latest Crossrail project update here>>>
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Green Park Station nearing completion
Green Park Station is taking shape with a new footbridge (pictured below) linking the two platforms now in position. Construction on the new £20 million station is now progressing well despite initial delays to the project caused by the pandemic with work expected to be completed by November and the station expected to be open for public use by June 2022.
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Reading West Station transformation
Work to transform Reading West Station has begun with roadworks on the Oxford Road to make space for the brand new station building.
Reading Borough Council is leading on a £3.3 million project to transform Reading West, working in partnership with Great Western Railway and Network Rail. A new station building on the Oxford Road forms the centerpiece of the improvements, which include new ticket gates at the Tilehurst Road and Oxford Road entrances, new toilets and a retail facility, all which will significantly improve safety and security. A new bus interchange and improved cycle parking also form part of the scheme, as do improvements to the Tilehurst Road entrance.
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Reading FC celebrates 150 years
One of the oldest football clubs in England was formed in winter 1871 by a group of young townsmen and shopkeepers in a small room in Gun Street in Reading town centre. The Club's first match took place the following February against Reading School on King's Meadow. Since then, the Club has been a huge part of the town based for a long time at Elm Park and now the Select Car Leasing Stadium (Madejski Stadium).
The most successful period in the club's history has been the last 15 years, with two visits to the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final appearance at Wembley. The Club's profile has always played a large part in Reading's international reputation, so let's hope that the 150th anniversary season is a successful one and can bring promotion again to the Premier League and shine a light on our town to the world.
To get involved as a commercial partner with Reading FC, visit their website>>>
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Steel pan music specialist organisation CultureMix Arts will open the new CultureMix Arts & Music Centre on Queens Walk in September. The centre will offer unique carnival arts and music experiences celebrating African Caribbean culture. The new home for award winning steel band Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra will host music workshops, seminars, offices, storage, and Reading Reggae Collective rehearsals and masterclasses. |
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This year's Heritage Open Days in Reading take place 10-19 September. All events are free and showcase Reading's built heritage, natural heritage or cultural heritage with the theme for 2021 as Edible England. Reading UK has produced a printed programme available from Reading Museum and libraries and all the events are profiled online at whatsonreading.com |
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Hot on the heels of this year's Reading Festival, Reading Museum's 1971 Reading Festival looks back at the very first festival 50 years ago. On now!
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One day music festival in the Abbey Ruins featring Snapped Ankles and Flamingods among others.
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30 free events showcasing Reading's heritage with a foodie theme for 2021.
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An exciting exhibition by 25 artists including Sally Castle celebrating the ever-changing skyline of Reading and bidding a fond and final farewell to the last of our so familiar gasometers.
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Thinking of relocating to Reading?
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