A READING theatre group has decided not to bid for Reading Gaol and has instead handed their proposals over to the council.

Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) handed over their bid brochure to Reading Borough Council (RBC) following the news the council has agreed to bid for the prison.

READ MORE: Reading Gaol bid agreed by Reading Borough Council.

TAR's chairman, Melvin Benn, said: "We are pleased the council has passed this resolution.

"However, our position has not changed - TAR will not bid against the council."

He continued: "What we have done is pass on our bid brochure to the council which may help its bid.

"This is full of information about how we would have turned the site into an arts hub, complete with a pop-up theatre, other performance space, museums, a hotel, digital hub, creative hub and more.

READ MORE: Theatre and Arts Reading reveal their proposals for the gaol.

"We have also included our list of supporters – from community members to businesses, organisations to official bodies - which TAR has built up over many years campaigning for a new arts hub in Reading, as well as official statements of support from the Arts Council and the University of Reading.

"We hope the council is successful in its bid to the Ministry of Justice – and we will continue to help in any way we can.”

The deadline to bid for the jail is noon on December 6.