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's John Lewis re-opened this week along with all of Reading's non-essential retail and outdoor attractions and hospitality.
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#Rediscover Reading underway
Many of our much-missed Reading businesses have re-opened this week with a firm emphasis on the outdoors. Good timing for the last week of the school Easter holidays! Footfall on Monday 12 April was similar to a busy Saturday afternoon with premier stores John Lewis and Primark reopening with queueing systems in place.
Reading UK has been collating information on what is open/when. #RediscoverReading invites you to get back to those favourite places that you have missed in recent months. Just remember to observe the guidelines when you are out and about. Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air.
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95% of Reading town centre non-essential retail businesses re-opened on 12 April.
Source: Reading BID
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Hear Andy Briggs and Adam Jacobs talk about Re-opening Day, 12 April 2021.
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Blog: Reading is open again but what does the future hold?
Andy Briggs, Chair of Reading Central BID and General Manager of The Oracle, and Nigel Horton-Baker, Executive Director of Reading UK, share views on re-opening this week and the future of Reading town centre.
Read the blog>>>
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The future of Reading's property scene
How has Covid-19 affected Reading as a business location? When will we see workers return to Reading's workplaces? We ask a panel of local Reading property experts what they think the future has in store for Reading as a business location.
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New voice for business in Reading
Reading Business Network is the new voice for anyone doing business in the greater Reading area. It is here to inform, collaborate and drive productivity for business of every size, working with other business groups, agencies and public sector partners, adding value and creating strong bridges.
Join the FREE monthly networking events - backed by Reading UK’s Recovery Strategy “Powered by People” – where you can gain peer support, growth opportunities and expert advice. The network’s next meeting is Thursday 29th April 7.45am – 9am, and guest speakers will be talking about the signs of local recovery and the challenges of re-opening the town centre (again!) The event is FREE but you’ll need to book – contact admin@archwaybusiness.com
Local self-employed and business owners are invited to join the newly launched Facebook Group to keep up with all the latest events and business support news.
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Co-Space at Broad Street Mall
Co-Space open their newly refurbished, design-led space, over three floors on 3 May. It encompasses over 13,500 sq ft of offices, flexible workspace options, meeting and event spaces, and a ground floor coffee shop. For more information email hello@co-space.co.uk or call 0800 689 1790.
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What does business think about the Bristol & West development plans?
The developers for the former Bristol & West Arcade building at Town Hall Square are keen to hear from Reading's business community about their plans to create a new hotel on the site.
Read the plans>>>
Complete the survey>>>
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Bounceback Toolkit
Last month Reading UK launched its new Business Toolkit to support local businesses with useful resources.
Take a look >
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John Lewis saved
John Lewis Partnership confirmed that its Reading flagship store will remain open. A vote of confidence for Reading town centre.
Read more >
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Community testing
Businesses employing less than 50 people are being invited to make use of Reading’s community testing sites. One in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and can spread the virus without knowing it. If you are working with others (ie not working from home) it’s a really good idea to join the programme and help us find more people who are infected. Reading Town Hall has now opened as a new testing site in the town centre.
More details at www.reading.gov.uk/CommunityTesting
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Reading Buses, which runs the frequent greenwave service in partnership with Green Park, has launched newly rebranded double deck dual door buses to tempt more people out of their cars and give passengers a ‘rapid transit feel’ along the dedicated A33 bus lanes. The buses are powered by sustainably sourced low carbon compressed natural gas.
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Ethical Reading event
'A new social contract for business' - 22 April
Prof. Emma Borg will lead a discussion on a new approach to a social contract between society and business. Panellists include Jonathan Firth, MD Michael Page Group, Will Barrett, MD Francis Construction and Richard Baker, Managing Partner, EY.
April 22nd breakfast briefing (8:30-10am). Book here>>>
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Accommodation providers gearing up for 17 May
Reading's hotels and serviced accommodation providers are gearing up for re-opening from 17 May, after a year closed or operating under very restrictive regulations.
Reading has the best stock of accommodation in the region and the operators are offering a range of great offers for both leisure and business stays from 17 May. From yoga packages at the Roseate to discounts at the Novotel, Hilton or Ibis or the chance to meet as an extended family in Premier Suites or House of Fisher's apartments.
Check out what's on offer>>>
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Key priorities
The Council’s key priorities for the year ahead are outlined in a refreshed Corporate Plan>>>.
The plan – entitled ‘Investing in Reading’s Future’ – sets out the Council’s vision and priorities for the year ahead - ‘To help Reading realise its potential – and to ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.’
The priorities focus on the three linked themes of thriving communities, a healthy environment and an inclusive economy. These sit alongside the Council’s overarching task of helping Reading to recover from the effects of the pandemic, which are widely acknowledged to impact vulnerable members of the community most.
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New leisure facilities go-ahead
Rivermead and Palmer Park planning applications have been approved with construction beginning on both sites this summer. The aim is to deliver the new facilities by early 2023.
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Leisure facilities lifeline
The Council has received a Lifeline Grant of £487,000 to support the recovery of the Hexagon (reopen 28 May), South Street (June) and Reading Museum (18 May).
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Would your business like to exhibit the Save Reading Gaol banner?
As we await a decision from the Ministry of Justice on the future of the Reading Gaol building, local artist Ellie Bonham is offering a local shop, restaurant or business with a public frontage the opportunity to display her Save Reading Gaol banner.
The banner is a mixed media piece measuring 225cm x 175 cm and was commissioned by the Save Reading Gaol campaign group. Find out more>>>
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The new exhibition highlights the 65 master drawings held at the University of Reading Art Collection by artists including Whistler, Baglione, Rubens, Sickert and Gwen John. Online until the Museum reopens on 18 May.
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One of the first live shows to perform at Reading Hexagon out of lockdown,. Sword swallowers to voodoo acrobats.
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Lots of organisations in Reading have exciting plans to bring back Reading's vibrant events calendar, when guidelines allow. Here are just a few of the events planned for later this year (subject to Government guidelines). Keep checking on whatsonreading.com for the latest updates. |
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Booking now. Reading town centre's one day music extravaganza returns with gigs across many venues.
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Exhibiting online while they wait to how tentative plans for a physical exhibition later in the year pans out.
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Thinking of relocating to Reading?
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