READING Borough Council has announced that the main entrance to the Civic Centre has moved to Simmonds Street, with a new Bridge Street entrance for the Reading Registration Service.
The change of location to the entrances is to allow construction of the new purpose-built Central Library and redesigned and improved customer service and reception area for residents.
It will be the only entrance until spring next year on completion of the Central Library.
As of today (Monday, January 13) the main entrance for the Civic Centre has been relocated to Simmonds Street for all resident, Brighter Future for Children services, and council meetings.
Residents will be able to follow signs from Bridge Street safely along a paved area through to Simmonds Street and the new main entrance, and there will be no access via the previous main entrance in Bridge Street.
The new main entrance will be for visitors who have housing, benefits or council tax queries, want to discuss any other council services, or attend Brighter Futures for Children meetings. This will also be the main entrance to attend scheduled council meetings during working hours or in the evening.
There is also a new digital check-in system for all visitors.
Those with appointments can book in to notify the relevant council officer they have arrived.
Residents with a specific query will be given a number and join a queue to be assisted by the Customer Fulfilment Centre.
Reading Registration Service is in a new location in the Civic Centre for the notifications of births and deaths, and applications for marriage, via the entrance on Bridge Street.
Visitors will be able to follow signs on Bridge Street to the new entrance via an accessible path which runs alongside the Civic Centre.
It comes as the Registration Service brings a new suite of private rooms with two waiting areas and a self check-in service, as well as a dedicated reception area where documents can be collected and submitted and payments made.
There is no longer access to the Civic Centre reception or any other part of the building.
The Civic Centre and the Registration Service will be open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except on a Wednesday when opening is at 10.15am to allow for staff training.
Baby change facilities are only available in the Civic Centre main reception.
Visitor parking is unavailable at the Civic Centre– it is recommended visitors use the nearby parking bays in Fobney Street and the Oracle Shopping Centre, or get public transport into the town centre.
The nearest blue badge spaces are in St Mary’s Butts.
