An optician in Reading is Opticians gearing up for a move ahead of a transformation project at its current location.

Eye Site Opticians is currently located in Friar Street in the town centre.

But is gearing up for a move with 87 Broad Street being prepared for its relocation.

The unit is currently sealed off with black hoardings so that it can be prepared in privacy.

However, a new shopfront has been installed to the unit, which used to be occupied by EE before it relocated further down Broad Street.

Eye Site also provides hearing care, with its new location set to open this month.

Eye Site had to move as its current location at 142 Friar Street is set for transformation into a 163-bed hotel.

Reading Chronicle: A CGI of the proposed new 163 bed Jurys Inn hotel, codenamed QVS2, planned to replace Eyesite opticians and Revolucion de Cuba in Friar Street. Credit: Falconer Chester HallA CGI of the proposed new 163 bed Jurys Inn hotel, codenamed QVS2, planned to replace Eyesite opticians and Revolucion de Cuba in Friar Street. Credit: Falconer Chester Hall

Asset company Thackeray Estates won approval for the project in May last year, after members of Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee consented to it in December 2022.

Once complete, the project will see Eye Site and Revolucion De Cuba replaced with a hotel, which will incorporate The Bugle pub into it as well, creating a ‘character area’ in the venue.

Thackeray Estates also has plans to transform the corner of Friar Street and Queen Victoria Street to provide new shopping and eatery space, ‘apartment-hotel’ rooms above ground and an exciting new courtyard area.

Updated plans have been submitted to the council.