Plans have been submitted that would see a new family entertainment centre introduced to a town centre mall.
A company called FunBox is gearing up to come to Broad Street Mall in the town centre, and wants to take over shops and turn them into a gaming centre.
The location was previously occupied by New Look, which closed in 2018, and it has also served as a coronavirus vaccination centre.
The plan would see the two shops merged to create space for arcade games, a bowling alley, American pool, interactive darts and virtual reality games, in a venue called ‘Urban Fun Reading’.
The company also wants to sell food, drinks and alcohol to guests.
Consultants Planning Potential said: “The proposed use is a family friendly entertainment centre, which will provide an interactive amusement and games space for all ages.
“The main customer base during the daytime and early evening will be young families, with children’s parties at weekends.
“The predominant customer base after 9pm will change to adults (groups of friends, couples and students of Reading University) seeking alternative evening activities to the many drinking establishments within the centre.”
A planning document then states no one under the age of 18 will be allowed in the centre after 9pm unless accompanied by an adult.
FunBox is hoping to be open from 10am until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 10am until 11.30pm on other days.
The plan would involve work to merge the units, and external changes in Queens Walk with Urban Fun Reading branding.
You can view the application by typing reference 231464 into the council’s planning portal.
