Top five stories in Reading this week

1. Vue Cinema at The Oracle Reading could be knocked down

A cinema and restaurants at the prime shopping centre in Reading could be knocked down if transformation plans are given the go-ahead.

The Vue Cinema building at The Oracle Riverside in the town centre is the subject of a plan to replace it with a new cinema, a restaurant and 247 apartments.

The cinema was opened in 1999 as an 11-screen multiplex and has been a fixture in the town ever since.

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2. Louis Vuitton bag dumped in Reading with parlour mattress​ 

A ‘GENUINE’ Louis Vuitton Bag worth over £1,400 has been found dumped in Reading.

The brown monogram bag was found dumped alongside a mattress allegedly belonging to a massage parlour, 613 Club in Oxford Road, in Kensington Park.

If the designer bag is genuine, the retail value of the item is about £1,450. It was left on top of a pile of bin bags, another bag and curtains.

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3. Reading residents react to upcoming House of Fraser closure

With House of Fraser closing its doors for good this Thursday, The Chronicle spoke to Reading residents to get their views on the long-standing store shutting down.

Ms Michelle Lewis, 25, a graduate ecologist from central Reading said: “It’s a bit of a shock as it’s been there for so long. I find it sad every time a shop closes on the high street as the culture around shopping is changing.”

She added: “I enjoyed window shopping there and have a fond memory of buying my prom dress there a few years ago.”

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4. Sheldon Lewcock: Teen charged with murder a year later

A TEENAGER has been charged with the murder of a 19-year-old boy from Tilehurst who died after a crash.

Sheldon Lewcock was riding an electric bike when he was involved in a collision in Pierces Hill on August 4 last year. He passed away five days later.

Ryan Willicombe, from Newbury, was originally charged with driving a vehicle involved in a road accident and failing to report that accident as well as one count of driving without third-party insurance.

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5. Wilko reveals date for closure of final Berkshire store

Wilko have announced the closing date for their Reading store as the collapse of the historic retailer comes to a close.

The hardware and furnishings retailer tumbled into administration last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

Located in the Broad Street Mall in Reading town centre, customers have said they are disappointed to see the closure of one of the high streets most renowned discount stores.

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