New Council Offices at Plaza West

Reading Borough Council’s move to new offices at Plaza West is progressing on schedule and within budget, the Council’s Cabinet will hear next week.

A report to Cabinet will say that the project is on track to be completed within the final quarter of 2014, and that the cost of refurbishment and renovation of the new building continues to be within the original budget allocation, which was set out in a report to a special Council Meeting in May last year. A number of options were considered at that time, including the former Yell Building at Queen’s Walk, and the refurbishment of the existing Civic Centre. Plaza West emerged as the least expensive option and this continues to be the case.

The move to new offices will also allow for the regeneration of the Hosier Street/Civic Area, which will eventually see the whole area redeveloped to provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail, leisure and community facilities, together with high quality open spaces. The improvements will enhance and better integrate the Hexagon Theatre into the heart of the town, and also provide a location for a modernised market.

The Council is seeking a development partner to take forward the regeneration work. Initial submissions from prospective partners are due to be received by 3 June 2013, and a final decision is likely to be made in the Autumn.

Further information on the civic area redevelopment is available to download on the Council’s website http://www.reading.gov.uk/hosierstreet