The first phase of substantial changes at The Oracle shopping centre has been completed, with yet more developments coming in the future.
Hammerson, the company that runs the shopping centre, has nearly completed the transformation of the former House of Fraser department store.
The project, which has been years in the making, will see three companies occupy repurposed space once finished.
TK Maxx opened its large new store in May, with shoppers queuing for the opening event.
Meanwhile, Hollywood Bowl is due to open at the riverside in July, providing 24 bowling lanes, entertainment space and representing a £4.5 million investment.
Fashion brand Zara is set to move into a new store on the top floor early next year.
Hammerson officials state Zara is just the latest example of ‘best in class’ retailers investing in larger and improved stores in The Oracle.
The 40,000 sq ft Zara store will offer visitors a full range of womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.
Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning manager at Hammerson, commented: “Completing this first significant phase of repositioning at The Oracle with a regional best in class Zara builds upon the successful partnership we have developed with Inditex elsewhere across our portfolio.
“We are confident, based on our track record, that the completion of this phase will hugely benefit customers and underpin the future retail evolution of The Oracle, firmly establishing its place as a top UK retail destination with its catchment of three million people.
“We won’t stop here and are continuing to invest in the next phases of repositioning, putting The Oracle on the map for customers and brands.”
Yet more change is on the way, as Hammerson has also announced that burger chain Shake Shack will be coming to The Oracle.
So far, Shake Shack has been available in Reading for deliveries only via Deliveroo.
It is unclear which unit Shake Shack will occupy.
Elsewhere at The Oracle, new lettings have recently been signed with Jewells, ProCook and Kiko as part of renewing the retail offer and mix, which follows news the opening of Cosy Club in May, which Hammerson officials state continues to bring the best new dining and social uses to The Oracle.
However, there have been a series of restaurant closures at the riverside over the last two years.
Brands that have vacated the riverside since 2023 include Wok to Walk, Franco Manca, The Real Greek, Yo! Sushi TGI Fridays, Browns Brasserie and Bar, and most recently Gordon Ramsay Street Burger and All Bar One.
This all comes as Hammerson has plans to add 436 flats to The Oracle that were submitted to Reading Borough Council in 2023.
The project involves replacing the Vue Cinema building with new leisure space and 218 flats, and the former Debenhams with a leisure unit, co-working space and 218 flats.
You can view the plan for the cinema building using application reference PL/22/1917 and the former Debenhams using reference PL/22/1916 on the council’s planning portal.
Although the planning portal states these applications ‘expired’ in April, time extensions have been agreed.
An agent from planning consultants Turley said: “Hammerson are continuing to engage positively with Reading Borough Council in respect of these planning applications. Extensions of time for the determination of both applications have been agreed.”
