A body piercing and fashion store that took over from a lingerie shop in Reading town centre is still in trouble over its signage.
Blue Banana has been open since October last year.
But the business is in trouble with Reading Borough Council over its signage, which has not been approved.
Elsewhere, a casino in the town is set to get a fresh new look, and a homeowner in Caversham is in trouble over building a gym that could be used for accommodation in the future.
Finally, parking arrangements have been determined for the council development that is replacing the former Central Pool.
You can view each decided application by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.
Piercing and fashion store still in trouble over signage (PL/26/0734)
The company Blue Banana is still in trouble over the signage for its shop in Broad Street.
Blue Banana took over the former Ann Summers last October, selling piercings, jewellery and fashion ever since.
The company has been trying to get approval for its shopfront since August 2025.
But planning officer Ethne Humphreys rejected the most recent shopfront design, stating that timber would be a more appropriate material, and that the applicant had failed to specify whether the signage would be illuminated.
New look for casino (PL/26/0513)
The Genting Casino in Richfield Avenue will be getting a new look after the company successfully applied for new designs.
The casino chain applied to install new branding at the high level, mid-level and canopy of its two-storey building, and replace two totem signs.
Planning officer Huimin Chen judged that the new look would not detract from the character and appearance of both the building and area as a whole, which is largely commercial.
The project was therefore approved on July 3.
Homeowner in trouble over gym built without permission (PL/26/0601)
A homeowner in Caversham is in trouble after they built a gym that could be used for accommodation.
The gym was built without permission to the rear of the home in Coldicutt Street.
Photos by planning officer Anthony Scoles show the building being used for storage, and kitted out with a shower and toilet.
While the owner sought retrospective permission, Mr Scoles rejected it due to its possible unauthorised use as a separate home, and flooding concerns.
Parking changes for former Central Pool council project (PL/26/0424)
Parking arrangements have been approved for the council’s development that will be built on the site of the former Central Pool.
The building in Battle Street was demolished in 2018 so it can be replaced with 62 affordable flats and a social care facility.
Details of parking have been approved, with areas reserved for permit holders and a loading bay space.
