New bowling alleys, game centres and restaurants are all set to come to Reading in 2025.
The town, which has gone for years without a bowling alley could have two new venues and an arcade opening in the New Year.
Although bowling has been provided at Spinners in Broad Street Mall in June 2021, other companies such as Holywood Bowl will be competing for customers in the near future.
Meanwhile, progress is being made on two new restaurants coming to a historic former department store, and new eateries have been teased at a major redevelopment site in the heart of the town centre as well.
Hollywood Bowl
Billing itself as ‘the UK’s best ten pin bowling alley’, Hollywood Bowl will be opening in the former House of Fraser department store at The Oracle riverside in the summer.
The bowling company was confirmed as a future tenant of The Oracle alongside TK Maxx in December 2023.
Since then, work has been undertaken to transform the lower floor of the House of Fraser into the bowling complex.
Earlier this year, Hollywood Bowl was given permission to stay open until 12.30am (half past midnight) each day, with an extension until 2.30am over the New Year.
The latest news is that an application for a digital screen to advertise the business submitted in August was withdrawn in October.
A planning application reference PL/24/0836 to replace House of Fraser and Yo Sushi branding with Hollywood Bowl signage is under consideration.
Urban Fun
Urban Fun looks set to open soon at Broad Street Mall in Reading.
The venue is a 15,000sq ft family entertainment centre with interactive amusements and games, that will replace the former coronavirus vaccination centre and New Look store inside the mall.
Urban Fun will have a capacity of 400 people, with approved plans showing basketball hoops, table hockey a range of video arcade games and an eatery.
This venue was initially going to provide ‘duck pin’ bowling as well, but the company made adjustments, swapping out two double bowling lanes for four pool tables instead. The changes to the venue were approved in April.
Lane7
Bowling and games venue Lane7 could open at the former Mothercare store in the town centre later next year.
The business currently has 15 venues spread across Great Britain, with a licensing application for various activities submitted at the Mothercare unit in October.
Lane7 won permission to conduct activities until 1am each night this month.
However, the project to bring the unit back into use is likely to be extensive, similar to the substantial works being undertaken at The Oracle.
Bowl Central
This destination bowling alley is due to open at the former Dawsons music store in Caversham Road in 2025.
Bowl Central will feature full-sized bowling lanes, an arcade area with redemption games and a bar and eatery.
Back in 2022, Bowl Central won permission to open from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Despite delays to the project, leaders in the company have said that they are committed to opening.
Rosa’s Thai
Rosa’s Thai has confirmed that it is opening at Jackson’s Corner in February.
A Facebook post states: “It’s a Christmas miracle, we’re finally opening Rosa’s Reading in the new year.
“Our new Reading home will be in Jackson’s Corner, a building packed with iconic history just like our menu.
“We’re giving the space a Rosa’s Thai makeover, keeping its charm while adding our signature style. We can’t wait to welcome you soon!
“For first dibs on opening offers make sure you sign up to our newsletter.”
Fat Hippo
The Fat Hippo burger chain also has plans to open at Jackson’s Corner.
The planning stage for the company to take over a unit has been a bumpy one, as Reading Borough Council’s planning department refused advertising and kitchen extraction plans in February 2023.
However, these plans were successfully revised, with the council’s planning applications committee approving details in January.
Curiously, Fat Hippo runs concession stands at Lane7 venues mentioned earlier.
Eateries at Station Hill
Lincoln MGT, the company in charge of the Station Hill development, announced that two eateries would be coming to the newly created area in the near future.
The Kawaii Japanese restaurant will transform one of the units provided in the development into a contemporary dining space with outdoor seating.
Meanwhile, the Notes coffee roastery and bar chain will be bringing its single-origin specialty coffee to Reading in its first venture outside London.
