Reading Enews – May 2009

Support for Business

Reading UK CIC ran a Support for Business event at the Holiday Inn Reading South on 22 April 2009. The presentations – from Lloyds TSB, RBS and Business Link – about accessing finance in the current economic climate, the government’s finance schemes and how to be ‘fit to tender’ for London 2012 and public contracts, can all be found on our web site: http://www.livingreading.co.uk/?cID=17&cType=news

Skills for Business

In these challenging times it is still vital that employers invest in their workforce and that businesses are equipped with the right skills for the future. Apprenticeships are a route to new skills that could benefit your business, now and in the longer term. Apprentices receive relevant training and learn the specialist skills that are best for your organisation; as most of the training is 'on the job' they can make an immediate and real contribution to your business.

You can get help and support with funding, recruiting and training if you take on an apprentice, and Reading UK CIC, the Borough Council and other organisations are working together to help more businesses benefit from apprenticeships.

Are you interested? If so, we are holding another Skills for Business event in mid June - to find out more contact Richard Byard on 0118 900 1622 (richard@livingreading.co.uk) or look out for more details on our web site: http://www.livingreading.co.uk

Station Hill development – new public exhibition

The proposals for a new planning application known as Station Hill 2 (SH2) are open to the public today – 1 May – until 7pm and tomorrow – 2 May – from 9.30am until 1pm. They include a direct pedestrian access between Station Hill and Friar Street; a large, tiered public square and a sophisticated multi-level retail offer. The exhibition is at 40 Station Hill and the application, expected in June, is for a 5 acre site comprising some 1.7m sq ft of development totalling in the region of £500m worth of investment.

Reading station regeneration

The SH2 development – if approved and implemented – along with the £800m station regeneration will impact on the highway and transport arrangements for the town centre, in particular Friar Street, West Street and St Mary’s Butts. To ensure that the business community has an early opportunity to understand and comment on the proposals, Reading UK CIC will be organising a short event to enable Reading Borough Council’s Head of Transport to present the plans. The event will take place at 9am on Tuesday 2 June and further details will follow.

Cycle map

A new cycle map has been published by Reading Borough Council and copies can be obtained by emailing emma.baker@reading.gov.uk. The map can also be downloaded from the cycling page of Reading Borough Council’s website: http://www.reading.gov.uk/cycling/General.asp?id=SX9452-A78063D7

Hilton

The new Hilton Reading at Kennet Island (Southside) will be available for reservations from 5 May 2009 and offers conference and event facilities for up 400 (ballroom) or 500 theatre-style. http://www.hilton.co.uk

Inward/investment

Primark is planning to expand its chain of 187 discount clothing stores with seven new outlets in the UK this year, and it will also open its first stores in Germany and Portugal. Primark, 41 West St, Reading, RG1 1TZ http://www.primark.co.uk

Advance Gym is expanding and will take up the ground floor of 106 Friar Street.

Planning

The application submitted for a change of use to 7 – 11 Cross Street, from B1 (business) to A1 (shop) or A2 (financial & professional services) or D1 (non-residential institution) on the basement and ground floor levels has been approved (Feb enews refers).

The application for a change of use at 8 Queen Victoria Street from A1 to A3 restaurant, with alterations to the rear elevations (re-submission of planning application 08/01625/FUL) has been approved (Apr enews refers).

Retail

Broad Street Mall

Nel Buffet has rebranded to Thai 9.

West Berks PCT has commenced fit out of the GP led surgery and hopes to open mid to late July 2009 (Apr enews refers).

Cherubs Florists has opened in Kiosk 1 on the ground floor.

The RAF has agreed to lease 112 BSM on the first floor, for a recruitment centre; shop fit commences imminently.

READING CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

Saturday 9 May to Sunday 7 June

Come and celebrate 20 years of Reading Children's Festival as this vibrant four week festival of events and activities for children of all ages at venues across Reading begins. To view the full programme visit http://www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest or call 0118 939 0771 for a copy of the brochure. In the meantime take a look at some of the highlights:

Meadow Madness
Christchurch Meadows (next to Reading Bridge)
Saturday 9 May, 11am - 4pm

Don't miss this fun packed Children's Festival launch event. Take part in circus workshops, art workshops and giant games. Enjoy storytelling, performances from comical clown duo, Sonny and Rainbow and displays from cheerleading squads, Reading Superstars and Reading Redkittens. There will also be free face painting and balloon modelling and a bbq.

Reading Community Carnival
Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, from 12 noon
Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road

Catch the colourful procession as it winds its way through the streets of West Reading in the early afternoon. The procession ends at Prospect Park where the fun continues with stalls, fantastic food from all over the world and live music.

Town Centre Day - supported by Reading UK CIC and The Oracle
Reading Town Centre
Friday 29 May, 11am – 4pm

The town centre's shops and stores will come alive with activities and entertainment on this exciting day. Look out for stilt walking cars and ostriches as well as a giant lobster! A leaflet giving full details of the day and a listing of participating retailers is out next week. Pick up a leaflet at Reading Borough Council leisure centres, libraries and arts venues or call 0118 939 0373 for your copy.

Forbury Fever
Forbury Gardens
Saturday 6 June, 11am - 3pm

Join in this local celebration of World Environment Day. Have a go at a special climate change snakes and ladders game, see how music can be played using pure pedal power, plus loads of information on insulation, composting, renewable energy and cycling.

All Children’s Festival enquiries: 0118 939 0771

Jelly

Changing Reading for the Day: Town Centre Day Friday 29 May 11am - 4pm; Exhibition from 4–5.30pm.

jelly, with the help of Reading artists, will be helping anyone and everyone who wants to become an Artist for the day.

To celebrate 20 years of the Children’s Festival jelly wants to create a town full of artists and artists in the making for the day – it is a hugely ambitious project, with many artists already signed up to help you take part creating something special. We will provide materials, the expertise and you will have the opportunity to be creative. The event is free and will take place in Town Hall Square, we are looking to recreate the Freize exhibition of 1988 and create our own stars of the future, culminating in a mass art exhibition and changing the face of Reading for the day. Support has already been received in the form of materials, nibbles and space from amongst others Haslams, Sainsbury’s and Daler Rowney. If you would like to take part or can offer support in kind or sponsorship please contact Suzanne at suzanne@jelly.org.uk


Tim Smith
Executive Director
Reading UK CIC

1 May 2009

This newsletter is for general information only. Whilst it is believed to be
correct, it should not be relied upon for any commercial or other decision
of value.

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