Essential changes are coming to the main shopping destination in Reading to make sure everything is in order behind the scenes.
Hammerson, the company that owns The Oracle, has recently won permission to replace and install safety measures at the roof level.
This equipment includes safety railings with a majority focused on the Holy Brook building north of the River Kennet.
The work involves installing a new fixed access ladder at the top of the building from Broad Street.
It also involves decommissioning safety wire around the former Lemoni restaurant building.
Because of the significant alterations and its proximity to historical buildings, the works required planning permission from Reading Borough Council.
The project was discussed by the council’s planning applications committee on July 22.
Justifying the works, planning officer Richard Eatough said: “The works are required to ensure compliance with current health and safety standards, and to enable the safe maintenance of rooftop plant and equipment that supports the operation of the shopping centre.
“Due to their limited scale and rooftop location, they would have a negligible visual impact and not be considered harmful to nearby historic buildings.”
No councillors chose to comment on the plan, which was unanimously approved.
You can view the application by typing reference PL/26/0573 into the council’s planning portal.
Elsewhere at The Oracle, shoppers can see models as part of the free Reading dino trail.
Snowflake Gelato opened a kiosk at the upper level of the mall on Friday, July 31, and the Haute Dolci dessert shop is due to open on August 22, taking over the unit previously occupied by Mission Burrito, which closed after 16 years in February 2025.
