A variety of derelict and unused buildings have been transformed through Reading’s £1.6 million programme to enhance the history within the town.

This comes as Reading was selected as one of the 67 areas in the UK to receive a share of a £95 million Government Heritage fund.

The investment has seen derelict and underused buildings restored to become new community spaces such as cinemas and market halls, with over half of High Streets Heritage Action Zones in top priority Levelling Up Areas.  

The four-year programme, actioned by Reading Borough Council, is celebrating the culmination of the project in the coming months.

Highlights of the project included the restoration of eight buildings and shopfronts on Castle Street, The Pavilion and Oxford Road.

A traditional hand-written sign was created to flank Russell Street with the junction of Oxford Road.

The Welcome to Oxford Road mural and new paving across the area in front of the restored shop fronts has upgraded the public spaces in well-travelled area.

To celebrate the culmination of the four-year project, a Giant Puppet Parade has been organised on Oxford Road for Saturday, March 23 at 1pm at Broad Street Mall.

Residents have been invited to get involved in the parade by making flags, playing drums and learning traditional dances.

Cllr Barnett-Ward Reading’s Lead for Leisure and Culture said:  “We were fortunate to be one of only 67 areas to benefit from the generous £800K of funding from Historic England. With match funding this became a £1.6 million investment in historic high streets in and around the town centre. Although the programme was not a COVID-response initiative – we applied before the pandemic – the funding and focus it provided mean it has played an important role in the recovery of our town centre high streets post-COVID.” 

Other improvements throughout the town include the restoration and conservation of four town centre monuments: Queen Victoria statue, Zinzan Tomb, Jubilee Cross and Simeon Monument.

There has also been collaboration with over 30 cultural, community, charity, and heritage organisations, and with schools.