The successes of a £1.6 million project to rejuvenate the heritage of Reading has been celebrated.
The Historic England High Street Heritage Action Zone project was devised in 2020 to boost pride in place, connect communities and drive economic growth.
Reading Borough Council received £800,000 from Historic England, which it match funded to £1.6 million.
With that investment, the council made improvements to eight shop fronts and conducted conservation works, such as the restoration of the Simeon Monument.
Furthermore, it hosted a range of cultural and artistic events over four years, culminating in the Oxford Road Giant Parade in March 2024.
Councillors received a presentation debriefing the project at a recent meeting.
Adele Barnett-Ward, lead councillor for leisure and culture said: “It really encouraged people to take pride in place and love where they live and have an ownership of the Oxford Road, St Mary’s Butts, the areas that we were covered in the heritage action zone.
“The cultural and community engagement has always flown on this project, and there has been great support, but getting physical changes onto the street was hugely challenging.”
Despite these challenges, the project was able to deliver new frontages for The Pavilion, Harput Kebab and The Red Carpet Salon.
A mural was also created at the Hampden Place building celebrating commercial heritage in Oxford Road.
Councillor Barnett-Ward (Labour, Thames) said: “I’m so pleased and proud to have a point where we can wrap it up and put a bow on it but that doesn’t end, there is a legacy with the engagements and relationships that have been built up.
“It was a kickstart and not a closed project.”
Cllr Sarah Hacker (Independent, Battle), who represents a large stretch of Oxford Road said: “It would be lovely in the future if we can find funding to do a similar project and continue out of Reading along that very important arterial road that tells so many stories from so many different people from all around the world.”
The council successfully received funding from Historic England thanks to the work of officers and the advocacy of cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey).
Cllr Barnett-Ward commented that she was fostering the project, which she called cllr Rowland’s baby.
She said: “It was her passion and enthusiasm that brought this project to Reading.”
Reflecting on a visit by Historic England along Oxford Road, cllr Rowland said: “They said ‘this is fabulous!’ absolutely, the Oxford Road is about Reading, it’s about our community.
“People connected with the Oxford Road and said ‘This is my place, and I’m part of it.’ And it was just so magical.
“If you look at the relatively small funding, although it was very much appreciated, it really delivered as Americans call ‘bang for the buck’ all over the place.”
Councillors agreed to note the successes of the project at a housing, neighbourhood and leisure committee meeting in March.
