Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, has backed a petition to reopen bidding for the sale of Reading Gaol.

Launched on 30 December, the petition is campaigning for the Ministry of Justice to “reopen the process for selling Reading prison site to new or improved bids (such as those made possible by public interest and donations for community-led bids), which can be considered against existing bids.”

This comes after the news that famous street artist Banksy, who painted a picture on the outer wall of the prison in March, has seen his £10m bid rejected due to it being sent in too late.

The online petition has already got more than 20 signatures in less than one day.

If it receives 10,000, then the Government will respond to the petition and if it receives 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament.

 

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Police guarding the Banksy at Reading Gaol

 

Labour MP, Mr Rodda, has backed the ‘Save Reading Gaol’ campaign from the start, and he is imploring the public to sign the petition.

He said: “As we enter the New Year I’m calling on the Ministry of Justice to completely rethink its approach and seriously consider Banksy’s offer, alongside the council’s bid for Reading Gaol.

“There is a growing weight of opinion calling for the Ministry to rethink and I’d like to thank the person who created the petition calling for the Ministry of Justice to consider Banksy’s offer and all those who have signed it.

“I hope Ministers will now ask their civil servants to review the Ministry’s approach and work with Banksy and our whole community to take up this wonderful opportunity to save Reading Gaol and turn it into an arts hub.”

Click here to sign the petition and help save Reading Gaol.