A leading global fashion brand has opened in a new, enlarged store in Reading’s prime shopping centre, completing a years-long project.
Zara, the global fashion retailer, has opened a new store at the upper level of The Oracle Shopping Centre.
It has moved into a more spacious unit, created from the former House of Fraser department store and Five Guys burger outlet.
Zara was open with staff selling clothing for people of all ages on Friday, May 1.
A post on The Oracle Instagram page states: “Find the bigger and better Zara store on Level 2, in between Joe & The Juice and H&M.
“The perfect spot for your summer shopping.”
An accompanying video shows its clothing range, minimalist design, fitting rooms and self-service checkouts.
The opening has seen the completion of the transformation of the House of Fraser store, which closed down in October 2023.
The Oracle went into a ‘wilderness year’ with the former department store fully closed and sealed off, with three artwork pieces covering the entrances to the store.
TK Maxx opened at the lower level in May last year, with Hollywood Bowl following it in July, with the Zara relocation now completing the redevelopment of House of Fraser.
Five Guys relocated to the former All Bar One bar at the Riverside to clear the way for the enlarged Zara store.
Its original triple-level shop is now closed to the public.
Shoppers may be asking what is next for the transformation of The Oracle.
Back in January, Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee approved a redevelopment of the former Debenhams and Vue Cinema building to provide 436 flats and new commercial space.
The first phase of this redevelopment will be the transformation of the Debenhams department store, which has been fully closed since September 2023.
Floor plans show a restaurant or bar being created at riverside level, a large leisure unit and a publicly accessible co-working space.
The project will primarily provide 218 built-to-rent apartments within two blocks, with the tallest being 21 storeys, and another block totalling eight storeys.
Demolition works will be required to create space for these new additions.
You can view the application by typing reference PL/22/1916 into the council’s planning portal.
The second phase of The Oracle development requires the complete demolition of the Vue Cinema building to make way for a new cinema and 218 apartments.
The building also contains Côte Brasserie and Miller & Carter, which would have to close or relocate to clear the way for the development.
You can view planning documents for the cinema replacement using planning reference PL/22/1917.
