The exciting project to turn an old warehouse into a food and entertainment venue in Reading is moving ahead.

For years, there have been plans to transform the old Reading Post newspaper printworks in Tessa Road into a music venue and food market to rival those in cities throughout the country.

Although there were intentions to open in November 2021, the project has been significantly delayed until now, with the company Curate Group moving ahead with seeking the required permissions from Reading Borough Council.

Once it is ready, the venue will feature food and drink stalls and an events space for live music performances, DJs, live bands, and sporting events.

The venue will also be available for private hire events such as TV filming and brand and product launches.

There are hopes for the venue to open this September.

The Curate Group won permission to transform the Printworks into a venue last November.

READ MORE: Former printworks set for conversion into food, drinks and music venue

In the latest news, the company has recently applied to hold regulated entertainment and sell alcohol from 12pm to 11pm each day,  and it could even stay open until 1am in the future.

Toby Mullins, the CEO of the Curate Group, explained: “It’s merely an admin process. Planning precedes licensing in terms of the property.

“We secured a licence in 2021, we went back to the council and they have said our previous planning permissions and licences are no longer extant.

“The original licence is three years old, so I’ve submitted a new application.

“It’s a process to go through, we’ve also submitted another planning application last week to align with one or two conditions we would like to add.”

The latest planning application is seeking to have amplified music and the opening hours stretch until 1am.

Mr Mullins clarified that the application would give the Curate Group ‘flexibility’ to open and play music until that time if required.

A follow up premises licensing application would have to be submitted in the future to allow activities to take place until 1am as envisaged.

The current licensing application for alcohol sales and entertainment from 12pm to 11pm each day is open to public consultation.

Members of the public who want to make a representation can do so by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.

The deadline for responses is Wednesday, February 28.

You can view the planning application to extend opening hours until 1am by typing reference 240110 into the council's planning portal. 

The Curate Group recently won permission to increase the capacity of its Stories in the Park dance music festival in Palmer Park from 4,999 to 9,999 people this month.

READ MORE: Dance music event in Reading to host more festivalgoers 

The company is hosting four events in Palmer Park over a long weekend from June 13-16.

There will be a students boxing match on Thursday, an Ibiza classics orchestra performance on Friday, Stories in the Park that Saturday and a triple-bill boy bands concert on Sunday.