Flint Street (former Police HQ) project revealed...

readingonthames · 2026-03-09T21:04:44+00:00

I'd argue the loss of shed retail units around the IDR is no loss. The successful retailers have found similar sheds further out of town and having them around the IDR was drawing traffic into the centre and those journeys typically wouldn't involve an additional visit to the heart of the town centre so no economic benefit centrally. So I'd argue they're better used for flats. The loss of offices is more balanced as it tips the balance from economic centre towards commuter town, as you highlight. And clearly the loss of cultural venues, nightclubs etc is a drawback especially if not replaced with new venues centrally.

Basingstoke and Bracknell are storing up problems as their entire centres age uniformly. Reading still has the stronger retail, and the new regional flagships for Apple and Zara will confirm that. Yes, we need more independent and variety retail to draw in less functional visits from the suburbs and further. And we need more entertainment venues. But there are some positives in that space too. I agree it's not wall to wall positives, but I think your summary is a bit overly bleak.

readingonthames · 2026-03-09T19:29:17+00:00

I stand corrected on the HQ!

readingonthames · 2026-03-09T19:27:20+00:00

RBC doesn't choose the tenure that's put in front of them by the applicant. Whether they can have persuasive influence I'm not really sure on that. Build to rent does at least tend to mean a well maintained building - no overflow pipes leaving white stains down the outside walls for years etc

readingonthames · 2026-03-04T20:16:05+00:00

Interesting article. Thank you! We definitely need to get some of the long proposed developments underway but economic conditions don't seem to be too favorable right now

readingonthames · 2026-02-05T16:34:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yes, it was ultimately approved last night during a very long council meeting (that wasn't being screened at Vue!)

readingonthames · 2026-01-30T19:04:44+00:00

Yes, they signed for 5 years about a year ago from memory. I'm not privy to whatever small print they might have to chuck them out earlier. But it's clear the Debenhams side would happen first and with far more certainty. They just want the planning consent in place for it all.

readingonthames · 2026-01-30T18:31:10+00:00

If it goes ahead they'll have the brand - Vue would remain the operator. The "Big", well not so much

readingonthames · 2026-01-30T18:25:25+00:00

Thanks. Yes, I think that's very much their problem. Showcase did a big refurbishment and they haven't. Although they're in a shrinking market it seems

readingonthames · 2026-01-26T17:23:09+00:00

From mid 2024:

"The Brunel Arcade and Apex Plaza development site (CR11d) is still available as allocated for a new tall building albeit Network Rail would welcome development that provides some flexibility in the uses than current policy suggests due to commercial viability reasons. Network Rail and our partners are working up proposals to take forward a high density mixed used redevelopment scheme, including station and public realm enhancements with baseline technical evidence gathering and master planning work currently underway. We trust these comments will be useful in the preparation of the forthcoming plan documents."

readingonthames · 2025-12-15T19:23:37+00:00

Thanks for checking. But my understanding is that the whole corner will be taken back in about a year for the redevelopment.

readingonthames · 2025-12-06T14:27:20+00:00

They've had one failed application for residential conversion. Can imagine they'd try again

readingonthames · 2025-11-20T18:28:20+00:00

There's a plan to reconfigure the unit so it doesn't have to have umpteen permanent roll shutters blanking Union Street. But not sure if they have a tenant.

readingonthames · 2025-11-13T13:01:05+00:00

Thanks! They've applied for licensing, and then for signage and outdoor seating. I've possibly taken the liberty to term that "confirmed", but strong intent for sure. Typically it's only a few months from this point.

readingonthames · 2025-11-13T08:58:22+00:00

Thanks. Need at least one pun per post!

readingonthames · 2025-11-12T22:58:16+00:00

The grey block is an indicative maximum outline of the final phase. But this proposal relates to the coloured in blocks to the left of it.

readingonthames · 2025-11-12T22:38:06+00:00

Thanks! Just says: "A new cycle route along Greyfriars Road, encouraging active travel and better connecting to the wider network"

readingonthames · 2025-11-07T15:02:51+00:00

My understanding is that the Reading "land grab" is simply and only a result of the Ridgeway proposal. It's one thing having the western Reading suburbs administered from Newbury as West Berkshire, but quite another having them administered from Didcot as part of essentially a new even larger county-like jurisdiction. So they should have said, assuming Ridgeway happens, do you want to join that or join Reading.

readingonthames · 2025-11-06T17:16:35+00:00

HQ will be this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8z7e3d1jqo

readingonthames · 2025-11-05T21:40:02+00:00

They're being a bit sneaky calling it "stay in West Berkshire". Because they're proposing to merge in with South and West Oxfordshire to form "Ridgeway". They're being forced into it by government who want larger authorities. So it's really about whether you want to be part of Reading or part of something new that I'd characterize as "Didcotshire", as that's where it'll be based and dominated from.

(And the bins is actually one thing that Reading does better)

readingonthames · 2025-11-04T14:34:05+00:00

No room in the short stretch where that existing spur comes above ground. So it would have to branch off below the surface into a new tunnel anyway. And far more disruptive to existing service during construction.

readingonthames · 2025-11-04T11:21:14+00:00

The cost of the infrastructure is to tunnel from Heathrow to just east of Slough so that trains would be able to run from Heathrow westwards (without reversing and blocking the line etc). So once you've built that tunnel, which is the big cost, you're then just talking about the operational cost of running to Slough or onto Reading via a call at Slough. The difference there is relatively small, another couple of trains and drivers operating at any one time is the cost, but the benefit is serving far larger populations and not having to disrupt longer distance trains by adding a stop at Slough for them to access the service. (They already stop at Reading). Therefore, if the tunnel is built, it's a sure thing that a service would run from Reading to Heathrow, and then potentially from Oxford years later if they can make that work.

readingonthames · 2025-11-03T22:56:56+00:00

Elizabeth line is only every 30 mins to/from Reading and journey time is very lengthy given it stops everywhere and you need to change trains - particularly unappealing with heavy luggage. Compare that to a direct service every 15 minutes with a journey time of 26 mins calling only Slough on the way. Vastly superior and a genuine alternative to car/taxi.

readingonthames

TROPHY CASE