A project to turn a former newspaper office and print works into a food and entertainment venue in Reading is moving ahead.
For years, there have been plans to transform the old Reading Evening Post headquarters in Tessa Road into a music venue and food market to rival those in cities throughout the country.
Although there were intentions to open in November 2021, the project has been delayed until now, with Curate Group moving ahead with plans to seek the required permissions from Reading Borough Council.
Once ready, the venue will feature food and drink stalls and an events space for live music performances, DJs, live bands, and sporting events. The venue will also be available for private hire events such as TV filming and brand and product launches.
There are hopes the venue will open this September.
The Curate Group won permission to transform the print works into a venue last November.
In the latest news, the company has recently applied to hold regulated entertainment and sell alcohol from 12pm to 11pm each day, and could even stay open until 1am in the future.
Toby Mullins, the CEO of the Curate Group, explained: “It’s merely an admin process. Planning precedes licensing in terms of the property.
“We secured a licence in 2021, we went back to the council and they have said our previous planning permissions and licences are no longer extant.
“The original licence is three years old, so I’ve submitted a new application.
“It’s a process to go through, we’ve also submitted another planning application last week to align with one or two conditions we would like to add.”
The latest planning application is seeking to have amplified music and the opening hours stretch until 1am.
Mr Mullins clarified the application would give the Curate Group ‘flexibility’ to open and play music until that time if required.
A follow up premises licensing application would have to be submitted in the future to allow activities to take place until 1am as envisaged. The current licensing application for alcohol sales and entertainment from 12pm to 11pm each day is open to public consultation.
Members of the public who want to make a representation can email: licensing@reading.gov.uk.
The deadline for responses is Wednesday, February 28.
The same company recently won permission to increase the capacity of its Stories in the Park dance music festival in Palmer Park from 4,999 to 9,999 people this month.
