Reading’s Black History Mural could get extra local protection

Community leaders, councillors, and residents across Reading have united in support of nationally listing the town’s cherished Black History Mural (BHM).

But the mural could get extra local protection first by becoming a Building of Townscape Merit.

READ MORE: Community leaders, Reading Council and thousands of residents call for mural listing

The site already benefits from local protection by being located in a Conservation Area, which means that planning permission is needed to demolish the building.

But a review of the London Street/Market Place Conservation area is being undertaken which could add further weight to this local protection.

Councillor Karen Rowland, lead member for Heritage at Reading Borough Council (RBC), revealed the proposals for the mural to get extra local protection at Full Council last week (October 22).

Asked by Green Party campaigner Louise Keane why the mural had not been locally listed, she said the site already benefits from greater local protection by being located in a Conservation Area and so cannot be locally listed.

READ MORE: 24 buildings and structures in Reading that could get local protection

But she said a review of the conservation area could lead to the mural becoming a Building of Townscape merit, which “could give it even more weight in planning decisions”.

The heritage lead member said: “It is something that, as Heritage Champion for Reading, I do hope happens at the first opportunity and I know that work is progressing on that reappraisal by the Conservation Area Advisory Committee which will then be submitted to the council.”

As well as protection due to being in a conservation area, the council’s Local Plan also requires that the iconic mural is retained.

More than 5,000 signed a petition in just one week calling for the mural, on the former Central Club building on London Street, to be listed by Historic England.

The mural has now been officially put forward for listing by two organisations.

Cllr Rowland added: “Along with you, I also share the hope for its national listing, which could be seen as a final crown on its already well-protected future.

“The mural became eligible for national listing this year when it became 30 years of age, the “youngest age” at which a building or site is generally considered for national listing.

“Such a designation will not only afford a final measure of protection, but even more importantly, it would mean that Reading’s Black History Mural is recognised on a national level for the unique significance and value to this town that we all feel it deserves.

“I join you, and many others, in requesting directly to Historic England, that it is an honour that we in Reading and beyond, all feel is well due for Reading’s very special Black History Mural.”

If listed, the mural by Alan Howard will become the first piece of black public art by a black artist to be listed anywhere in the United Kingdom, according to Aspire.

READ MORE: Reduced offer for Reading’s former Central Club believed to have been accepted by council

The council chose to sell Central Club to Redline in 2018, with a revised lower offer now believed to have been accepted due to the Covid pandemic.