Reading Borough Council Seeks Development Partner for Civic Area Regeneration

Reading Borough Council is advertising for a Development Partner to help transform the Hosier Street and Civic Area.

With the Council moving into new premises in 2014 and Thames Valley Police announcing its intention to replace the current police station, the current Civic Offices site and surrounding area, offers an important development opportunity to transform the key Town Centre site. The Council is seeking to attract a proven Development Partner to help deliver a major regeneration of the area.

The overall aim for the area is to provide a mix of residential, commercial, retail, leisure and community facilities, together with high quality open spaces, which will enhance and integrate the Hexagon theatre into the heart of the town centre, and provide a location for a modern market. The Council wants to secure a high quality design with a unique character which respects and enhances nearby conservation areas and listed buildings, including St Mary’s Church.

The “Hosier Street Regeneration Site” includes the civic centre area and is well located, adjoining Broad Street Mall shopping centre and with easy access to the Oracle Shopping Centre and Broad Street. It also provides the main pedestrian approach for the Hexagon Theatre. To the south, the site is adjoined by the Magistrates’ Court and the main offices of Thames Valley Police, fronting onto Castle Street, which is part of a conservation area with a large number of listed buildings. The site is also highly visible from the Inner Distributor Road to the west.

The re-development of this town centre site will follow the demolition of the Civic Offices.

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