AN ICONIC Reading hotel and pub opened by Charles Dickens is set to renamed according to a plan submitted this week.

The Great Expectations in London Street was opened in 1843 by Charles Dickens himself, and previously served as an education institute, Methodist chapel, and theatre before becoming a hotel.

Now, its owners are renaming it Hotel 1843.

Elsewhere in the town centre, the Marugame noodle restaurant is gearing up to open in The Oracle Riverside unit which used to be occupied by Pizza Hut.

In East Reading, a landlord has applied to bring unoccupied rooms into use at an existing home of multiple occupation (HMO) so it can fit eight people.

And in Tilehurst, a car wash company has had to submit details to the council before it can open.

You can view the plans by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

Great Expectations front change (221498)

Reading Chronicle: The revised design for the front of The Great Expectations in London Street, Reading. Credit: Bad StudioThe revised design for the front of The Great Expectations in London Street, Reading. Credit: Bad Studio

The Great Expectations pub and hotel is all but set to be rebranded into Hotel 1843.

Earlier this year, plans to change the front by removing The Great Expectations branding and spiral Christmas garlands were approved under plan references 221141 and 221142.

But the owners also have to apply for advertising permission to replace existing advertising.

The proposal is to add ‘Hotel 1843’ designs to a wedge canopy and two drop awnings.

Noodle restaurant ready to open (221594)

Reading Chronicle: The designs for advertising at Marugame Udon in The Oracle, Reading. Credit: Harper SignsThe designs for advertising at Marugame Udon in The Oracle, Reading. Credit: Harper Signs

The Marugame Udon restaurant is gearing up to open to replace Pizza Hut at The Oracle.

Ahead of opening, Marugame has applied for advertising consent to replace the wooden boarding and Pizza Hut signage with a painted black strip and white acrylic lettering.

Marugame is set to open in early 2023.

Hoardings in the windows state guests can view the “uplifting everyday ritual” of watching noodles being made in its open kitchen.

Plan to bring unoccupied rooms into use in HMO (221541)

Reading Chronicle: 64 College Road, East Reading. It's currently a six person home of multiple occupation (HMO). The landlord wants to change it to fit eight people. Credit: Google Maps64 College Road, East Reading. It's currently a six person home of multiple occupation (HMO). The landlord wants to change it to fit eight people. Credit: Google Maps

Shahid Tufail, the landlord of 64 College Road, has applied for an updated HMO licence so he can host eight renters at the home he lets out.

The house is terraced and operates as six person HMO with six en-suite rooms for renters and shared living, dining and kitchen facilities.

It already has the capacity to take eight people, with two unused rooms both having an en-suite shower toilet.

The application would bring these rooms on the ground floor and second floor into use.

Noise details submitted for car wash at The Restoration (221603)

Reading Chronicle: The revised proposals for the car wash outside The Restoration pub in Oxford Road, Tilehurst. Credit: Rammurti Design LtdThe revised proposals for the car wash outside The Restoration pub in Oxford Road, Tilehurst. Credit: Rammurti Design Ltd

Carwash Five Star Ltd is hoping to establish a temporary car wash in the car park of the old Restoration Pub in Oxford Road.

In August, the company won permission to set up a car wash there, under plan reference 220822.

However, in order for work to start, Carwash Five Star Ltd has had to conduct a noise impact assessment to the council.

Once work is completed, it has permission to open 8.30am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 7pm on weekends.