A major fashion retailer is set to open a new store at one of the biggest retail parks in Reading.
According to plans, Next is gearing up to open at the former Carpetright store at the Reading Gate Retail Park in Whitley.
The frontage of the big box store has been completely removed to make way for a new shop front.
Once complete, the unit will feature a ground floor and a mezzanine where clothing for all ages, accessories, display furniture and household goods will be sold.
The addition of the mezzanine floor, stairs and an escalator to access it required planning consent from Reading Borough Council.
Julie Williams, the council’s planning manager, wrote: “Officers have concluded that planning permission can be granted for the additional floorspace at this location for retail purposes.”
Plans for re-fitting the unit and the external alterations were approved by the council’s planning department in April.
After that, advertising consent for the illuminated Next lettering was granted on Friday, July 27.
The fashion retailer has been contacted for information on the store opening date and how many jobs will be created.
Next has had a varied history of operating in Reading.
It has long had a clothing store inside The Oracle in the town centre, and previously maintained stores at the Forbury Retail Park, Brunel Retail Park and Calcot that have since closed.
The company also occupied the former Debenhams in The Oracle with its ‘Next Beauty & Home’ store, which was open from November 2020 to August 2023.
