PLANS for a new combined civic centre and library are due to go ahead following the green light from councillors.
Reading Borough Council has announced that its plans to rejuvenate its Bridge Street offices and relocate Reading Central Library have been granted planning permission.
It follows a meeting by the Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday, January 10, where the plans were given the go-ahead.
Proposals will see a transformation of the civic offices situated on Bridge Street, including a two-storey extension at the front entrance to enclose the atrium.
They will also see improvements to the customer services area with self-serve terminals.
In addition, Reading Central Library would become part of the site, which will see more than 1,300 metres of shelving installed to form a children’s library, a section aimed at teenagers, study and research areas, and storage for spoken editions as well as printed media.
A multi-use events room will also be included as part of a covered courtyard, alongside PC suites and book drops.
Completion of the project is expected in 2025 and work could begin as soon as this spring.
It follows an investment of just over £19m from the Department of Levelling up, Communities, and Housing, which will be split between the project and further plans to revamp The Hexagon.
Councillor Jason Brock, Leader of the Council, said: “This is significant moment in the process of creating a top-quality library and customer service resource for Reading residents.
“The Civic Offices, and particularly the entrance, will be transformed by additionally becoming the new home of a modern central library– a purpose-built space, accessible to all, which will be a fantastic addition to this part of the town centre.”
He explained: “The modern facilities are what residents deserve– books in all their formats will be able to be borrowed.
“We also know reading is an integral part of a child’s life and development, so there will be a fantastic children’s area plus a teen and young adults’ section incorporating facilities they want, based on the positive consultation we had with them.
“The current Central Library has been well-loved and well-used since it was built in 1985. But, as the years pass by, there are limitations within the building itself and it’s come to the end of its functional life as a library.”
Full details of proposals are available to view via: reading.gov.uk
