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Located in the South East of England, Reading's economy revolves around the service sector and leading edge technology services; it is also one of the biggest insurance and business service centres in the country. Nearby major roads include the M4, M40, M3 and M25. Reading mainline railway station runs services into London Paddington and London Waterloo. The town is situated about 30 miles from London Heathrow Airport, c58 miles from London Luton Airport and c66 miles from London Gatwick Airport.

DEMOGRAPHIC

 

 Urban Area

 District

  

 GB

Population

 

 

 

 

Resident 2001

 232,662.0

     143,096

 

   57,103,927

Resident 1991

     213,073

     128,877

 

   54,888,844

 

 Urban Area

 District

  

 GB

Households

 

 

 

 

2001 Total

      91,597.0

      57,877

 

   23,852,721

1991 Total

      83,019

      52,172

 

   21,897,322

Population within 10km of Centre

     297,151

 (1994 estimate)

Population within 20km of Centre

     642,720

 (1994 estimate)

 

 Urban Area

 District

 

 GB

 

 2001     1991

 2001     1991

 

 2001     1991

% Total Population Male

 50.2     49.66

 50.4     49.48

 

 48.6     48.42

% Total Population Female

 49.8     50.34

 49.6     50.52

 

 51.4     51.58

Note: Care must be taken when interpreting intercensal population change, as there have been changes in definition between 1991 and 2001, and the 2001 counts have been adjusted to account for under-enumeration.

 

UA 2001 Age Structure

  

GB 2001 Age Structure

 

 

 

  

  

2001 Census Data - Population by Age

Age (%)

 Urban Area

 District

  

 GB

0-04

          6.1

          6.2

 

          5.9

05-09

          6.3

          6.0

 

          6.3

10-19

         12.8

         12.1

 

         12.8

20-29

         17.4

         20.1

 

         12.6

30-44

         24.2

         23.8

 

         22.6

45-59

         17.1

         15.4

 

         19.0

60-64

          4.1

          3.8

 

          4.9

65-74

          6.6

          6.5

 

          8.4

75 and over

          5.5

          6.1

 

          7.5

All Ages

     232,662.0

     143,096

 

   57,103,927

 

UA 1991 Age Structure

  

GB 1991 Age Structure

 

 

 

  

  

Age Structure 1991 (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

0 - 4

          7.2

          7.1

          6.6

5 - 15

         13.6

         12.8

         13.5

16 - 17

          2.5

          2.3

          2.5

18 - 29

         21.8

         23.5

         18.2

30 - 44

         22.9

         21.0

         21.2

45 - Pensionable age

         18.0

         17.1

         19.3

Pension - 74

          8.7

          9.9

         11.7

75 and Over

          5.3

          6.4

          7.0

 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC

CACI Lifestyle Groups

 Urban Area

 

 GB

Wealthy Executives

 23.47

 

  8.60

Affluent Greys

  3.37

 

  7.70

Flourishing Families

 14.02

 

  8.80

Prosperous Professionals

  4.04

 

  2.20

Educated Urbanites

  3.67

 

  4.60

Aspiring Singles

  3.62

 

  3.90

Starting Out

  5.51

 

  2.50

Secure Families

 17.99

 

 15.50

Settled Surburbia

  2.37

 

  6.00

Prudent Pensioners

  2.10

 

  2.60

Asian Communities

  0.22

 

  1.60

Post-Industrial Families

  5.34

 

  4.80

Blue-collar Roots

  2.35

 

  8.00

Struggling Families

  8.06

 

 14.10

Burdened Singles

  1.36

 

  4.50

High-Rise Hardship

  0.32

 

  1.60

Inner City Adversity

  0.19

 

  2.10

Unclassified

  2.01

 

  0.30

Note:  CACI data is based on the 2001 Census, but updated annually to 2004

Source:  CACI Limited, CACI House, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London W14 8TS (Tel: 0800 181 851; Fax: 020 7603 5862) www.datadepot.co.uk

Urban Area Class Groupings 2001

 GB Area Class Groupings 2001

 

 

  

 

Class Groupings 2001 (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

AB. Higher and intermediate managerial/administrative/professional

         29.6

 27.10

 21.70

C1. Supervisory clerical junior managerial/administrative/professional

         31.9

 31.50

 29.40

C2. Skilled manual workers

         13.3

 13.20

 15.10

D. Semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers

         14.0

 16.00

 17.20

E. On state benefit unemployed lowest grade workers

         11.2

 12.30

 16.70

Urban Area Class Groupings 1991

 GB Area Class Groupings 1991

 

 

 

Class Groupings 1991 (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

I

II

III Non-manual

Manual

IV

V

Other

Econom. Inactive

Unclassified

 8.1

25.1

10.1

17.5

7.1

3.1

0.4

27.9

0.7

 

 7.1

20.6

9.8

16.8

7.4

3.9

1.0

32.4

1.0

 

 4.1

18.9

8.3

16.4

8.4

2.9

1.6

38.3

1.1

 

Car Ownership (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

 

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

Households with no car (%)

1 Car

2 Cars +

3 Cars

4 Cars +

 Cars per Household (no. of cars)

 

 20.8

43.4

28.5

5.6

1.7

1.2

 

 25.0

44.8

30.2

N/a

N/a

1.1

 

 27.3

44.8

22.4

4.2

1.2

1.1

 

 33.2

44.6

22.2

N/a

N/a

0.9

 

 27.5

43.8

23.1

4.4

1.3

1.1

 

 33.4

43.5

23.1

N/a

N/a

0.9

 

Household Tenure (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

 

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

Owner Occupier

Rented

Private Rented

Other Housing

 

 74.1

12.3

10.9

2.7

 

 75.1

11.4

9.0

4.5

 

 66.7

15.8

14.2

3.4

 

 67.5

15.8

12.2

4.5

 

 68.3

19.9

8.4

3.0

 

 66.4

21.4

7.1

5.1

 

 

ECONOMY

 

Employment Profile (%)

 Urban Area

 District

 GB

Note: 16-74 for 2001, but 16-64 for 1991*

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

Male 16 - 74 Full Time * (active)

Male 16 - 74 Part Time * (active)

Male 16 - 74 Self Employed * (active)

Male 16 - 74 Unemployed (active)

Male 16 - 74 Full-time student(active)

Male 16 - 74 Retired (inactive)

Male 16 - 74 Student (inactive)

Male 16 - 74 Looking after home (inactive)

Male 16 - 74 Permanently disabled (inactive)

Male 16 - 74 Other (inactive)

 

 59.8

2.8

11.2

2.5

3.6

8.7

6.2

0.5

2.8

1.9

 

 68.3

2.9

13.3

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

 58.5

2.9

10.3

3.0

3.8

8.3

7.0

0.6

3.2

2.3

 

 65.6

2.2

12.4

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

 49.6

4.7

11.3

4.2

2.5

12.1

4.7

1.7

6.3

2.9

 

 60.3

2.1

13.1

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

Note: 16-74 for 2001, but 16-64 for 1991*

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

Female 16 - 74 Full Time * (active)

Female 16 - 74 Part Time * (active)

Female 16 - 74 Self Employed * (active)

Female 16 - 74 Unemployed (active)

Female 16 - 74 Full-time student(active)

Female 16 - 74 Retired (inactive)

Female 16 - 74 Student (inactive)

Female 16 - 74 Looking after home (inactive)

Female 16 - 74 Permanently disabled (inactive)

Female 16 - 74 Other (inactive)

 

 36.8

19.9

3.6

1.7

4.2

11.9

6.2

10.6

2.4

2.7

 

 43.4

25.0

3.2

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

 37.1

17.8

3.2

2.0

4.4

11.4

7.1

10.9

2.8

3.2

 

 43.2

21.1

2.9

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

 19.8

30.0

4.3

2.5

2.8

15.5

4.6

11.7

5.1

3.6

 

 36.2

21.9

4.0

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

 

Note: Data marked N/a = Not Available

Claimant Count Unemployment Rate

Claimant Count Unemployment Rates (URs) are derived using the new residence-based proportions, which were introduced by ONS in January 2003. These express local area claimant count figures as a proportion of the resident working age population (females 16-59, males 16-64). The working age population figures are derived from the mid-year population estimates which are compatible with the 2001 Census. Previously URs were workplace based.

 

Claimant Count Unemployment Rates for London Boroughs supplied by GLA (excluding GB figure).

Claimant Count Unemployment Rates for all other towns currently covered and GB figures supplied by ONS.

Note: The Claimant Count Unemployment Rate measures the number of people claiming unemployment benefit

 

Claimant Count Unemployment Rate (%)

 TTWA

 

 GB

Oct-05

          1.1

 

          2.4

Jul-05

          1.1

 

          3.1

Apr-05

          1.2

 

          2.4

Jan-05

          1.3

 

          2.4

Oct-04

          1.3

 

          2.2

Jul-04

          1.2

 

          2.3

Apr-04

          1.3

 

          2.5

Jan-04

          1.5

 

          2.6

Oct-03

          1.5

 

          2.4

Jul-03

          1.5

 

          2.6

Apr-03

          1.6

 

          2.6

Jan-03

          1.5

 

          2.7

Oct-02

          1.4

 

          2.5

Jul-02

          1.3

 

          2.6

Apr-02

          1.3

 

          2.7

Jan-02

          1.2

 

          2.8

Oct-01

          1.0

 

          2.5

Jul-01

          0.9

 

          2.6

Apr-01

          0.9

 

          2.7

Jan-01

          1.0

 

          2.9

Employment by Sector

 TTWA

 District

 GB

 

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

 2001

 1991

Main Sectors

  

  

  

  

  

  

Manufacturing Industries

Primary Industries

Construction

Hotels & Catering (*)

Transport & Communication

Banking, Finance & Business Services

Other Services

Utilities

Public Admin & Defence

Retail (*)

 

 9.7

0.8

6.7

3.8

8.8

27.1

20.8

1.2

4.7

16.5

 

 13.5

2.8

3.0

*26.3

6.6

18.9

28.4

N/a

N/a

*13.5

 

 9.0

0.8

6.5

4.3

9.0

27.2

20.8

1.2

4.7

16.3

 

 17.9

2.2

3.6

*26.7

5.3

16.9

27.4

N/a

N/a

*13.9

 

 14.8

1.9

6.8

4.8

7.0

17.5

23.9

0.8

5.8

16.6

 

 21.2

3.3

4.5

*21.5

6.1

12.1

31.2

N/a

N/a

*10.7

 

Note I: Data marked N/a = Not Available

(*) Note II: % for 1991 not directly comparable

(*) Note III: for further explanation of non-comparable sectors, see Notes at end of Report

Main Employers

Company Name

 Size/Staff Number

 Activity

Reading Borough Council

 5500

 Public Administration

Reading University

 5000

 University

Prudential Assurance

 4000

 Insurance

Royal Berkshire & Battle Hospital NHS Trust

 3500

 Healthcare

Royal Mail

 2500

 Postal Service

Compaq Computers

 2000

 Electronic Equipment

Foster Wheeler

 1950

 Engineering

BG (HQ)

 1500

 Exploration of Gas

Mircrosoft (HQ)

 1100

 Computer Software

Savacentre

 1100

 General Stores

Thames Water Utilities

 1050

 Water Supply

Oracle Corporation (HQ)

 1000

 Computer Industry

Heelas (John Lewis Partnership)

 900

 Retail

ICL

 840

 IT Services

Scottish Courage Brewing

 700

 Brewing

Gillette (UK)

 600

 Household goods manufacturing

Tesco Stores

 560

 Supermarket

Energis

 550

 Telecommunications

Racal Telecom (HQ)

 500

 Telecommunications

Sir Alexander Gibb

 500

 Engineering

Source: 

 Reading Borough Council 

Note:

 This is a guide to the main employers, from information available - in some cases, no staff numbers are given. Where possible, a maximum of 20 employers are shown

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Guide to Prime Rents

Offices

 -Jul 05

 £  23.50 psf

 

 -Jul 04

 £  24.50 psf

 

 -Jul 03

 £  24.00 psf

 

 -May 02

 £  27.00 psf

 

 -Jan 01

 £  30.20 psf

 

 -Jul 00

 £  30.00 psf

 

 -Jul 99

 £  28.00 psf

 

 -Jul 98

 £  26.00 psf

 

 -Jul 97

 £  22.00 psf

 

 -Dec 96

 £  21.00 psf

Offices Chart:

 

 

Source

 Office Rental data is supplied by King Sturge, 7 Stratford Place, London, W1C 1ST (Tel: 020 7493 4933; Fax: 020 7499 0569) www.kingsturge.com

Note:

 Data is for hypothetical prime rents for Grade A office space

 

 

Retail ZA

 -Jun 05

 £ 230.00 psf

 

 -Jun 04

 £ 230.00 psf

 

 -Jun 03

 £ 225.00 psf

 

 -Jun 02

 £ 225.00 psf

 

 -Jun 01

 £ 225.00 psf

 

 -Jun 00

 £ 220.00 psf

 

 -Jun 99

 £ 220.00 psf

 

 -Jun 98

 £ 200.00 psf

 

 -Jun 97

 £ 175.00 psf

 

 -Jun 96

 £ 160.00 psf

 

 -Jun 95

 £ 155.00 psf

 

 -Jun 94

 £ 155.00 psf

 

 -Jun 93

 £ 150.00 psf

 

 -Jun 92

 £ 150.00 psf

 

 -Jun 91

 £ 150.00 psf

 

 -Jun 90

 £ 150.00 psf

 

 -Jun 89

 £ 150.00 psf

 

 -Jun 88

 £ 120.00 psf

 

 -Jun 87

 £ 115.00 psf

Retail ZA Chart:

 

 

Source

 Retail Zone A Rental data is supplied by Colliers CRE, 9 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 1HL (Tel 020 7935 4499; Fax 020 7409 3124) www.collierscre.com

 

Note:

 These retail rents are based upon Colliers CRE's opinion of open market Zone A rents. The rental values relate to a hypothetical shop unit of optimum size and configuration in the prime pitch and have been arrived at by adopting zone sizes standard for the location. Also refer to Notes at the end of this report.

   

 

 

 

Industrial

 -Dec 04

 £   9.75 psf

 

 -Dec 03

 £   9.75 psf

 

 -Dec 02

 £   9.00 psf

 

 -Dec 01

 £   9.00 psf

 

 -Dec 00

 £   8.00 psf

 

 -Dec 99

 £   8.00 psf

 

 -Dec 98

 £   7.50 psf

 

 -Dec 97

 £   7.00 psf

 

 -Dec 96

 £   6.75 psf

 

 -Dec 95

 £   6.25 psf

 

 -Dec 94

 £   6.50 psf

 

 -Dec 93

 £   6.75 psf

 

 -Dec 92

 £   7.00 psf

 

 -Dec 91

 £   7.25 psf

 

 -Dec 90

 £   7.25 psf

Industrial Chart:

 

 

Source:

 Industrial Rental data is supplied by GVA Grimley, 10 Stratton Street, London W1J 8JR (Tel 0870 900 8990) www.gvagrimley.co.uk

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

 

 

 New dwellings

 Secondhand dwellings

Date

 2 Bed Flat

 2 Bed Terrace

 3 Bed Semi-Det

 Inter War Semi-Det

 Post 60s Detached

 Post 60s Flat

Jul 05

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 195,000

 320,000

 135,000

Jan 05

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 185,000

 320,000

 135,000

Jul 04

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 190,000

 325,000

 135,000

Jan 04

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 185,000

 300,000

 135,000

Oct 03

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 180,000

 290,000

 130,000

Apr 03

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 185,000

 290,000

 130,000

Oct 02

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 187,000

 290,000

 130,000

Apr 02

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 170,000

 265,000

 120,000

Oct 01

 n/a

 n/a

 n/a

 165,000

 260,000

 115,000

Apr 01

 140,000

 123,000

 165,000

 145,000

 215,000

 90,000

Oct 00

 75,000

 92,000

 118,000

 115,000

 180,000

 68,000

Apr 00

 75,000

 92,000

 118,000

 115,000

 180,000

 68,000

Oct 99

 75,000

 85,000

 115,000

 105,000

 175,000

 68,000

Apr 99

 75,000

 85,000

 115,000

 105,000

 175,000

 62,000

Oct 98

 70,000

 80,000

 100,000

 80,000

 165,000

 60,000

Apr 98

 65,000

 75,000

 100,000

 69,000

 145,000

 50,000

 

Source:

 Valuation Office Agency from their Property Market Reports (PMRs)

Note:

 Minimum prices are quoted above from the range given in the PMRs up to Apr 2001.

From Oct 2001 onwards, only 'average' prices will be available, so not directly comparable and explains why graphs can show sharp change between Apr and Oct 2001.

For New Dwellings from Oct 2001 onwards, PMRs no longer provide prices

 

Residential Property Chart:

 

 

RETAILING

 

Chart of Number of Requirements by Date

 

 

Retail Demand ( extracted from Retail FOCUS)

No. of Requirements

 Ranking (1st highest)

 Date

171

 11

 Oct 05

168

 11

 Apr 05

163

 11

 Oct 04

164

 9

 Apr 04

176

 6

 Oct 03

160

 10

 Apr 03

172

 10

 Oct 02

172

 10

 Apr 02

143

 12

 Oct 01

125

 15

 Apr 01

122

 14

 Oct 00

129

 14

 Apr 00

121

 19

 Oct 99

142

 12

 Apr 99

139

 9

 Oct 98

135

 10

 Apr 98

117

 19

 Oct 97

102

 17

 Apr 97

108

 10

 Nov 96

92

 14

 Apr 96

95

 13

 Jul 95

86

 11

 Feb 95

78

 13

 Jun 94

83

 6

 Jan 94

83

 5

 Jun 93

71

 11

 Aug 92

81

 10

 Oct 91

113

 5

 Feb 91

 

 Top 20 Retailers  

 

 Top 20 Retailers Present in Town Centre  

 

75% of top 20 Retailers present

 

Rank

 Retailer

1

 BOOTS

2

 MARKS AND SPENCERS

3

 ARGOS

4

 WOOLWORTHS

5

 DEBENHAMS

6

 JOHN LEWIS

7

 WH SMITH

8

 BHS

9

 NEXT

11

 SUPERDRUG

16

 NEW LOOK

17

 HMV

18

 DOROTHY PERKINS

19

 ROSEBYS

20

 WATERSTONES

 

 Top 20 Retailers Not Present in Town Centre  

 

Rank

 Retailer

10

 DIXONS

12

 LLOYDS PHARMACY

13

 WILKINSON

14

 CO OP DEPARTMENT STORES

15

 LITTLEWOODS

 

Definition of Top 20 Retailers :

These are the top 20 comparison goods multiples ranked by ORC's forecast of average town centre sales for individual Retailers within GB.

 

Source: ORC Data Services, Goldings, Michaels Court, Hanney Road, Southmoor, Oxon, OX13 5HR (Tel: 01865 821112; Fax: 01865 821567) http://www.orcpartnership.com 

 

 Street Ranking - Top 3  

 

Town

 Street

 Postcode

READING

 BROAD STREET

 RG1 2AJ

READING

 THE ORACLE CENTRE

 RG1 2AG

READING

 BROAD STREET MALL

 RG1 7QE

 

Definition of Street Rankings :

Street RankingsTM identifies multiples (stores with 5 or more locations) located on the main shopping streets of 760 major retail towns in Great Britain. Multiples are then allocated an attraction value based on sales density and average selling area. Using these attraction values, Street RankingsTM ranks each street, within a town centre, by the combined attractiveness of its stores

 

Source: ORC Data Services, Goldings, Michaels Court, Hanney Road, Southmoor, Oxon, OX13 5HR (Tel: 01865 821112; Fax: 01865 821567) http://www.orcpartnership.com 

   

 Shopping Catchment Spend Summary   

 

 

 ( £ )

Comparison Goods Spend

  1,194,348,265

Core Convenience Goods Spend

  427,426,368

 

Definition of Shopping Catchment Spend Summary :

The shopping catchment is ORC's forecast of the population and their spend attributed to a retail centre - taking account of all competing retail centres. The figures shown here are the annual spend for both comparison goods and convenience goods within this catchment

 

Source: ORC Data Services, Goldings, Michaels Court, Hanney Road, Southmoor, Oxon, OX13 5HR (Tel: 01865 821112; Fax: 01865 821567) http://www.orcpartnership.com 

 

 

 

Retail Developments

 

Name

 Broad Street Mall

Type

 Shopping Centre

Size

 464,616 square feet

 

 43,163.0 square metres

Opened

 1972

Anchor Tenant

 Argos

Anchor Tenant

 Extreme

Anchor Tenant

 New Look

Anchor Tenant

 TK Maxx

Anchor Tenant

 Virgin

Developer

 Second Covent Garden

Letting Agent

 Churston Heard

Letting Agent

 DTZ Debenham Tie Leung

Managing Agent

 GVA ACR

Owner

 Ivypark

Updated

 26-Jan-06

Notes

 Tenants include 99p Stores, Adams, Altimus, Audio T, BSM, Bakers Oven, Bride To Be, But Is It Art?, Cafe Iguana, The Carphone Warehouse, China Palace, Chistia, Citi Financial, Claire's, Colorama, Dhaka Spice, Ex Stores, Dr & Herbs, F.Hinds, General Nutrition Centres, Game, Games Workshop, Glamour UK, Going Places, Hair Express, Half Prices Jewellery, Holland & Barrett, Jonathan James, Julian Graves Ltd, Mark One, Punky Fish, Reliance Care, Rumors, Subway, Superdrug, Swell, Swerve, Top Class and Warren James.  (Centre website 26/01/06) Stationery Box has taken space at the centre. (Colliers CRE Press Release 11/10/04)Doughty Hanson sold the centre to the Englander Group for c£76m. (Nelson Bakewell Shopping Centre Overview June 04)The Englander Group is in the process of acquiring the centre from Doughty Hanson for c£70m. Contracts are likely to be exchanged this month. (PW 12/03/04) Jeweller, Azendi, has taken space at the centre. (PW 06/02/04)New Look and Footlocker have both taken units at the centre. (RW 16/01/04)The Fragrance Shop has taken space at the centre. (Shopping Centre Dec 03)A new food court with the following tenants has opened at the centre, Burger King, Spud U Like, Villa Pizza and Hungry?. (RW 19/09/03)Work on upgrading the centre has commenced with phase 1 to include a new retail unit, new main entrance, a restaurant and relocation of toilets. (Shopping Centre Aug 02)The Doughty Hanson European Real Estate Fund is planning to rebrand and remodel the centre, with work expected to begin in April this year. (RW 01/02/02)In a joint venture Aberdeen Property Asset Management and Doughty Hanson have acquired the Centre for £48m from SLC Langbourn. (PW 15/06/01)

 

Name

 Brunel Retail Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 113,797 square feet

 

 10,575.0 square metres

Anchor Tenant

 Brantano

Anchor Tenant

 Currys

Anchor Tenant

 Halfords

Anchor Tenant

 JJB Sports

Anchor Tenant

 PC World

Anchor Tenant

 Pets at Home

Developer

 Wyncote Developments Plc

Letting Agent

 Colliers Conrad Ritblat Erdman

Letting Agent

 Edgerley Simpson Howe & Partners

Owner

 Morley Fund Management

Owner

 Norwich Union Life & Pensions

Updated

 14-Dec-05

Notes

 Midas Construction Ltd has won a £3.1m design and build contract to revamp the park.  The contract includes the creation of a new 7,500 sq ft retail store.  Completion due by the end of June 2006. (Property News Midlands 09/12/05)

 

Name

 Forbury Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 77,000 square feet

 

 7,156.0 square metres

Opened

 1996

Anchor Tenant

 Homebase

Anchor Tenant

 Toys R Us

Owner

 Abbey National Asset Managers

Owner

 Scottish Mutual Assurance

Updated

 23-Sep-05

Notes

 Britannic Asset Management has sold its retail warehouses on Forbury Park to Scottish Mutual for £15.5m, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.9%. (RW 20/07/01)

 

Name

 Forbury Retail Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 95,000 square feet

 

 8,829.0 square metres

Anchor Tenant

 Comet

Anchor Tenant

 DFS

Anchor Tenant

 Furniture Village

Anchor Tenant

 Land of Leather

Anchor Tenant

 Staples

Letting Agent

 Jones Lang LaSalle

Owner

 Prudential Property Investment Managers

Owner

 Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society

Updated

 14-Dec-05

 

Name

 Forbury Retail Park (Phase 2)

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 50,358 square feet

 

 4,678.0 square metres

Opened

 1996

Anchor Tenant

 Argos

Anchor Tenant

 Hobbycraft

Anchor Tenant

 JJB Sports

Anchor Tenant

 McDonalds

Letting Agent

 Savills Commercial

Owner

 Morley Fund Management

Owner

 NU Linked Life Fund

Updated

 14-Dec-05

Notes

 Morley Fund Management has acquired the third phase from Britannic Asset Management for £13.15m, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.1%. (RW 20/07/01)

 

Name

 Friars Walk

Type

 Shopping Centre

Size

 85,000 square feet

 

 7,896.0 square metres

Opened

 1971

Anchor Tenant

 Blacks

Anchor Tenant

 Peacocks

Developer

 AXA Sun Life Assurance Plc

Letting Agent

 Holt & Walters

Letting Agent

 Smith & Price

Managing Agent

 Donaldsons

Owner

 Portfolio Holdings

Updated

 23-Nov-05

Notes

 Chester Properties is apparently about to acquire the centre for c£8m. (EG 13/11/04)Portfolio Holdings has reputedly exchanged contracts for the sale of the centre to an unknown property company for c£10m. (PW 10/09/04)Portfolio Holdings is redesigning its redevelopment of the centre to include a permanent new opening in the front of the centre, along with A1 and A3 units. A planning application is expected imminently. Premierlodge has taken a prelet at the proposed scheme. (PW 12/09/03)Portfolio Holdings have submitted a planning application to convert the centre into a leisure destination which will include a health club, nightclub and bar. (RW 08/06/01)Axa Reim has sold the scheme to Portfolio Holdings for c£12.5m. (PW 09/03/01)

 

Name

 Kings Walk

Type

 Shopping Centre

Size

 42,000 square feet

 

 3,903.0 square metres

Opened

 1990

Anchor Tenant

 Basilica Boutiques

Anchor Tenant

 Jaeger

Anchor Tenant

 Leonardos

Developer

 Norcros Developments Ltd

Letting Agent

 Hicks Baker

Owner

 London & County

Updated

 23-Sep-05

Notes

 London & County acquired the centre from its receivers for £4.65m. The company is planning to refurbish and extend the scheme at the rear to create 25,000 sq ft of extra space. (PW 10/09/04)

 

Name

 Oracle Shopping Centre

Type

 Retail/Leisure

Size

 700,000 square feet

 

 65,030.0 square metres

Opened

 1999

Anchor Tenant

 Bank

Anchor Tenant

 Boots

Anchor Tenant

 Debenhams

Anchor Tenant

 Espirt

Anchor Tenant

 Gap

Anchor Tenant

 H&M

Anchor Tenant

 HMV

Anchor Tenant

 House of Fraser

Anchor Tenant

 Waterstones

Anchor Tenant

 Zara

Architect

 Haskoll & Co

Developer/Owner

 Hammerson

Letting Agent

 CB Richard Ellis

Letting Agent

 Lunson Mitchenall

Owner

 Akaria Investments Ltd

Updated

 20-Dec-05

Notes

 Esprit has taken 3,000 sq ft of space in the unit formerly occupied by Etam; Bank has taken 2,500 sq ft of space in the unit formerly occupied by Ciro Citterio; Bijoux has taken 750 sq ft of space in the unit formerly occupied by Origins, Silverscreen has taken 1,500 sq ft of space in the unit formerly occupied by Must Have It and Parchment Paper has taken 1,000 sq ft of space in the unit formerly occupied by Eisenegger.  (RW 16/12/2005)Coast has taken space at the centre. (PW 10/09/04) Azendi has taken space at the scheme. (PW 03/09/04)Kew, part of Jigsaw, has taken space at the centre. (PW 06/02/04)Tenants include Mamas & Papas. (PW 12/09/03) Virginware, Lush and Swarovski have taken space at the centre. (Shopping Centre June 03)French Connection has opened a menswear store in the centre. (Shopping Centre Nov 02)Republic has taken space at the centre. (RW 1/11/02)Faith Shoes has taken space at the centre. (RW 06/09/02)Tenants include Allsports, Envy, Karen Millen and Muji. (The Oracle Website Mar 02)The Centre's leisure element includes a 10-screen Warner Village cinema, various cafes, bars and restaurants, a children's play area and an art gallery.

 

Name

 Reading Gate Retail Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 202,488 square feet

 

 18,818.0 square metres

Opened

 1999

Anchor Tenant

 Allied Carpets

Anchor Tenant

 B&Q Warehouse

Anchor Tenant

 Carpetright

Anchor Tenant

 Comet

Anchor Tenant

 KFC

Anchor Tenant

 McDonalds

Anchor Tenant

 Pizza Hut

Developer

 Salmon Harvester Properties Ltd

Letting Agent

 Green & Partners

Letting Agent

 King Sturge

Letting Agent

 Mason Drage

Owner

 Legal & General

Owner

 NFU Mutual & Avon Group

Updated

 14-Dec-05

 

Name

 Reading Link Retail Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 68,310 square feet

 

 6,348.0 square metres

Anchor Tenant

 Furnitureland

Anchor Tenant

 Harveys

Anchor Tenant

 Magnet

Anchor Tenant

 Matalan

Developer

 Norcros Developments Ltd

Letting Agent

 Edgerley Simpson Howe & Partners

Managing Agent

 Strutt & Parker

Owner

 Prudential Holborn Life Fund

Updated

 26-Jan-06

Notes

 Prudential Holborn Life Fund has acquired the park from Liverpool Victoria for £20.1m, reflecting a yield of 5.12%. (EG 12/02/05)Henderson Investors has sold the park to Liverpool Victoria Asset Management, on behalf of the Royal National Pension Fund for Nurses, for £12.8m reflecting a yield of 7%. (EG 02/03/02)Magnet has taken space totalling 7,022 sq ft (653 sq m) at the Park. (Shopping Centre Nov 00)

 

Name

 Reading Retail Park (Oxford Road)

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 126,000 square feet

 

 11,710.0 square metres

Anchor Tenant

 Carpetright

Anchor Tenant

 Currys

Anchor Tenant

 Focus

Anchor Tenant

 Halfords

Anchor Tenant

 MFI

Anchor Tenant

 Pizza Hut

Developer

 Canynge Bicknell

Letting Agent

 CB Richard Ellis

Owner

 ING Real Estate Investment Management

Owner

 Lionbrook Property Partnership

Updated

 23-Nov-05

Notes

 ING Real Estate Investment Management, acting on behalf of Lionbrook Property Partnership, has acquired the park from The Junction Limited Partnership for £25.1m, reflecting an initial yield of 6.6% from an annual rent roll of £1.8m. (RW 17/10/03)Hermes, on behalf of the British Telecom Pension Scheme, has become an investor in The Junction Fund (a joint venture between Capital & Regional Plc and Morley Fund Management) through the inclusion of this retail park and Ocean Retail Park, Portsmouth, valued at £66.85 million. (The Junction Press Release 3/10/02)

 

Name

 Reading West Retail Park

Type

 Retail Park

Size

  square feet

Anchor Tenant

 Dreams

Anchor Tenant

 Lidl

Anchor Tenant

 McDonalds

Owner

 Private Investor

Updated

 14-Dec-05

Notes

 Solitaire Holdings has sold the park to a private investor for £3.8m, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.6%. Tenants include McDonald's, Dreams Bed Superstore and Lidl. (RW 31/05/02)

 

Name

 Vastern Court

Type

 Retail Park

Size

 75,906 square feet

 

 7,054.0 square metres

Anchor Tenant

 Majestic Wines

Anchor Tenant

 Mothercare World

Anchor Tenant

 TGI Friday

Developer

 Citygrove Developments Ltd

Letting Agent

 Angermann Goddard & Loyd

Owner

 J Sainsbury Developments

Updated

 23-Nov-05

 

Retail Shopper Population

Reading

 Band C

 Primary Centres

Woodley

 Band L

 Urban Centres

Wallingford

 Band M

 Rural Centres

Calcot

 Band M

 Local Centres

Pangbourne

 Band N

 Local Centres

Caversham

 Band N

 Urban Centres

Emmer Green

 Band O

 Local Centres

Tilehurst

 Band O

 Local Centres

Lower Earley

 Band O

 Local Centres

Earley

 Band O

 Urban Centres

Whitley

 Band O

 Local Centres

 

Retail Shopper Population Legend

Band A

 1,000,000 - 1,782,658

Band B

 500,000 - 999,999

Band C

 200,000 - 499,999

Band D

 150,000 - 199,999

Band E

 100,000 - 149,999

Band F

 50,000 - 99,999

Band G

 30,000 - 49,999

Band H

 20,000 - 29,999

Band I

 15,000 - 19,999

Band J

 10,000 - 14,999

Band K

 5,000 - 9,999

Band L

 3,000 - 4,999

Band M

 2,000 - 2,999

Band N

 1,000 - 1,999

Band O

 1 - 999

 

Source: CACI Limited, CACI House, Kensington Village, Avonmore Road, London W14 8TS (Tel: 0800 181 851; Fax: 020 7603 5862) www.datadepot.co.uk

 

PLANNING

 

District related Development Plans

 

Plan Name:

 READING LDF

Current Status:

 Proposed

Action Date:

 28/11/05

Last Updated:

 12/10/05

Notes:

 CONTACT: Alison Bell/Kieran Rowan 0118 9390604Consultation on issues from 7 Feb 2003 to 11 April 2003. No definite timetable available as yet, although consultation on issues and options may take place late 2005. 

 

Plan Name:

 READING BOROUGH PLAN

Current Status:

 Adopted

Adopted:

 14/10/98

 

Plan Name:

 CENTRAL READING DISTRICT PLAN

Current Status:

 Adopted

Adopted:

 01/01/85

 

Plan Name:

 KENNET VALLEY LOCAL PLAN

Current Status:

 Adopted

Adopted:

 01/01/87

 

Address:

 Reading Borough Council

 

 Civic Centre

 

 

 

 Reading

 

 RG1 7TD

Telephone / Fax Numbers:

 0118 939 0448/0118 958 9770

Contact:

 Mr David Elworthy

 

 Head of Planning & Transport Strategy

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

Road:

 Located on M4/A4/A33. London - 41 miles.

Rail:

 Reading to London Paddington (32 mins).

Air:

 Heathrow Airport.

Nearby Centres

 Road Distance (miles)

 Travel Time (mins)

 Population (Urban Area 1991)

Bracknell

 11

 18

      60,525

Maidenhead

 15

 22

      59,498

Basingstoke

 17

 28

      77,838

Newbury

 22

 29

      33,251

Oxford

 26

 45

     117,414

 

REPORTS

 

09/09/05  PW

 19/02/05  EG

 10/09/04  PW

 06/02/04  PW

 12/09/03  PW

14/02/03  PW

 06/09/02  PW

 27/04/02  EG

 08/03/02  PW

 01/02/02  PW

15/06/01  PW

 08/06/01  RW

 05/05/01  EG

 09/03/01  PW

 08/09/00  PW

18/02/00  PW

 10/04/99  EG

 03/07/98  PW

 25/04/98  EG

 20/02/98  PW

26/04/97  EG

 21/02/97  PW

 08/06/96  EG

 02/05/96  PW

 02/02/96  ET

14/09/95  PW

 20/07/95  PW

 17/06/95  EG

 30/03/95  PW

 03/02/95  ET

23/09/94  ET

 18/06/94  EG

 17/02/94  PW

 04/02/94  ET

 24/09/93  ET

29/04/93  CSW

 05/02/93  ET

 25/09/92  ET

 17/09/92  CSW

 18/07/92  EG

07/02/92  ET

 17/10/91  CSW

 18/04/91  CSW

 16/02/91  EG

 25/01/91  ET

26/04/90  CSW

 12/10/89  CSW

 29/09/89  ET

 11/02/89  EG

 20/01/89  ET

30/09/88  ET

 28/07/88  TIMES

 22/01/88  ET

 15/10/87  CSW

 23/01/87  ET

26/09/86  ET

 31/01/86  ET

 17/10/85  CSW

 27/09/85  ET

 31/05/85  ET

 

 

 

 

 

Legend

 

 

 CSW - Chartered Surveyor Weekly

 

 EG - Estates Gazette

 

 ET - Estates Times

 

 PW - Property Week

 

 RW - Retail Week

 

NOTES

 

 

 

Travel To Work Area (TTWA) figures based on Reading TTWA.

 

The main changes to Unemployment Rates.

The differences are mainly explained by the fact that the number of jobs in an area may be different from the resident population of working age as a result of:

 

1. Commuting patterns (which can work either way, the new proportions being higher than the old rates for some city areas, for example).

 

2. Different proportions of the resident population who are working or seeking work (i.e. differences in economic activity rates).

 

All 2001 & 1991 Census data provided by Office for National Statistics (ONS) formerly Office of Population Census and Survey (OPCS).Crown Copyright protected. Census values shown for 1991 English and Welsh Urban Areas based on Urban Area definitions supplied by the DoE.

 

Care must be taken when interpreting intercensal population change, as there have been changes in definition between 1991 and 2001, and the 2001 counts have been adjusted to account for under-enumeration.

This applies particularly to Resident Population and Male/Female Population figures.

 

CACI Lifestyle Data and Retail Shopper Populations supplied by CACI Limited (Head Office 0800 181 851). Lifestyle data for Urban Area based on CACI weighted Retail Direction population figures. The Retail Shopper Population is a percentage of the estimated Retail Catchment Population e.g. for Major City Centres on average over 31% of shoppers in the catchment are drawn to the centre. Figures are based on the Comparison Goods Model for products such as clothes, books and CDs, but not food.

 

The Colliers CRE rents data gives information that may be helpful in identifying trends in the retail property market.  However, no warranty is given as to the accuracy of, and no liability is accepted in relation to the figures contained in it and they must not be relied upon for investment or any other purposes. This retail rental data does not constitute and must not be treated as investment or valuation advice.

 

Employment Sector variations between 2001 & 1991.

Hotels & Catering refers to 2001 but in 1991 it was Distribution, Hotels & Catering.

Transport Storage & Communications refers to 2001, but in 1991 it was just Transport & Communication.

Retail in 2001 includes Wholesale & Retail Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, whereas in 1991 it was Retail Distribution.

 

 

Produced by:

 FOCUS Information Limited

 

 Portman House

 

 2 Portman Street

 

 London W1H 6EB

 

 

Telephone

 020 7839 7684

fax

 020 7491 7821

Email

 sales@focusnet.co.uk

Web

 www.focusnet.co.uk

 

Town FOCUS Report on Reading

 Report Produced 04/04/2006

District (LA):

 Reading

County:

 Berkshire

 

 

Information supplied by:

Focus Information Ltd
Portman House
2 Portman Street
London W1H 6EB

Tel: 020 7839 7684
Fax: 020 7491 7821

sales@focusnet.co.uk

www.focusnet.co.uk

 

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