READING EAST MP Matt Rodda has been offered yet another meeting with the Ministry of Justice as the sale of Reading Gaol is reportedly still “progressing.”
The site has been empty since 2014 and is currently owned by the Ministry of Justice, which has sought to sell it.
However a campaign to save the gaol from becoming flats or accommodation is hoping that it can instead be used as an arts hub and community space.
Despite funding offers from Banksy and support from a number of high-profile backers (including Stephen Fry, Gyles Brandreth, and Dame Judi Dench), the Ministry of Justice is still reportedly seeking the “best value for money” from investors.
Mr Rodda addressed Parliament during a debate on the sustainability of Heritage sites in the UK last month to urge the government to reconsider “the community interest” of the site.
Both Mr Rodda and his Reading West counterpart Sir Alok Sharma met with Prisons minister Damian Hinds in February to discuss the matter.
Mr Rodda said after the meeting, however, that the site’s future was still uncertain, despite a bid from Reading Borough Council still being “on the table.”
It also follows a march earlier this year, which saw hundreds turn out to call for arts and community resources to be the focus of the gaol’s future use, organised by the Save Reading Gaol Campaign.
The campaign has seen cross-party support, with Mr Rodda and Mr Sharma both appearing at the march.
Now Mr Rodda has been offered to meet with the Prisons minister again, alongside Mr Sharma, following his address.
The sale of the site has been delayed, with Mr Rodda explaining: “I had been told at a previous meeting in March that the Government was about to announce a preferred bidder, a commercial developer, who it hopes will want to buy the gaol.
“I believe it is time for the Government to work with the council on an alternative community- based approach and I hope the delays in the sale will help me persuade them it is time to consider a new way forward.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, June 20, Mr Rodda said: “I would like to address my remarks to the question of the future of Reading gaol, which is a Grade II listed building.
“Sadly, the gaol has been mothballed since 2013 and faces an uncertain future.”
“Locally, we would like to see this historic building reused as an arts and heritage hub and preserved for the community, possibly with some support from outside benefactors.”
“We have had interest from Banksy and, indeed, members of the arts community.
“When the Minister responds, I hope he will indicate that he has passed on my concerns to the Ministry of Justice, which owns the site… so I hope the Minister will be able to address that.”
One week later, however, Mr Rodda addressed the Prisons minister directly during a Justice Questions hearing in Parliament, and asked for an update on the site’s fate.
Mr Hinds responded by explaining that the sale was still “progressing.”
“I am grateful to the honourable gentleman for his question; he and I have met, along with the other MP for Reading, my right honourable friend Sir Alok Sharma.
“As he is aware, a sale is progressing, and of course there is commercial sensitivity attached to that, but I can assure the honourable gentleman that assurances for purchase will be required by solicitors and all required due diligence will be undertaken.
“I will be happy to talk with him further.”
The Save Reading Gaol campaign was launched to oppose the move, and has received support from both of Reading’s MPs: Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, and Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West.
A petition calling for the Ministry of Justice to approve a bid that would convert the prison for arts use received nearly 10,000 signatures earlier this year.
More details about the campaign are available via: savereadinggaol.uk
