A Reading theatre may be forced to close it’s doors as Reading Borough Council are investigating proposals to change the parking in the area.

Progress Theatre, which was recently awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service and is the town’s oldest producing theatre, is found on The Mount, situated off Christchurch Road, and currently only has spaces for around 20 cars in the car park.

Reading Borough Council is currently consulting on whether to make The Mount permit-holder only parking 8pm-8am, seven days a week, but currently restrictions apply only during weekday daytimes.

These parking changes, if approved, would mean audience and visitors to Progress Theatre would no longer be able to park on-street at Progress Theatre’s home on The Mount, according to the theatre's chair. 

They say it has the potential to decimate Progress Theatre’s income and could lead to its closure.

Reading Chronicle:

Above: The Mount, where the theatre is situated

 

Progress Theatre is entirely self-funding, receiving no regular grants or funding, and is reliant upon its ticket sales to keep going. Following two years of virtually no income, during the pandemic, these proposed parking changes could be the killer blow for Progress Theatre.

Chair of Progress Theatre, Steph Dewar, said: “Nobody approached us before it went for approval, which was frustrating.

“To be frank, it would be catastrophic. We’ve got parking at the venue but only around 20 spaces, so if you look to take away parking on the Mount realistically people would have to park in the town centre and walk, which for the elderly and disabled we are rendered inaccessible.

“We’re struggling with sales after Covid anyway so it’s not great.

“We are completely self-funded so being closed for two years hit us very hard. It’s now that we’re starting to feel the struggle, with businesses able to operate as normal but our ticket sales are really low, suggesting a confidence issue with the audiences which is completely understandable.

“Now is not the time to be adding another barrier to audiences attending our shows."

According to a parking survey, conducted over the last six months, there is no shortage of parking for residents in The Mount: with an average spare capacity of between 27 and 31 on street parking spaces.

In addition, only 17 of the 53 households on The Mount, do not have access to additional off-street parking.

Mrs Dewar concluded: "We are working hard as a venue to become more accessible and have just completed extensive renovation work to expand our foyer, and install new accessible toilet facilities – the start of a long-term commitment to remove any barriers preventing people from accessing the arts.

"Please support Progress Theatre’s activities, and our commitment to making arts accessible to all, by opposing these parking proposals."

Reading Borough Council said: "Reading Borough Council received the results of a resident-initiated poll that suggested local support for changing the current resident permit parking restrictions on The Mount. This was investigated as part of our Waiting Restriction Review Programme 2021B and we have since received strong representation made for and against the requested changes to the restrictions. At the Traffic Management Sub-Committee meeting on 13th January it was agreed that a formal statutory consultation be carried out to gather the views of residents and others regarding this proposal.

"This consultation is now taking place and will end on 23rd February. Anyone who wishes to submit their comments, support or objection to the proposals can email highway.objections@reading.gov.uk or visit our website http://consult.reading.gov.uk for further information. The results of this statutory consultation will be presented to the Sub-Committee at their next meeting on 3rd March."

 

 

Click here to visit the offical Council site to make your views heard.