Reading store demolished to make way for 60 homes

The Carters outdoor sports clothing and specialist equipment store closed in the winter of 2019 after 199 years in Berkshire and 57 years in Caversham Road.

The traders were known for selling high-end equipment for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

Now, the three-storey buildings Carters occupied at 97a-117 Caversham Road have been completely demolished.

Buildings and homes along Swansea Road can be seen, with access to the site being restricted for construction workers.

What Carters used to look like before it was demolished. Credit: Google Maps

Carters has been demolished to make way for 60 new homes being built by developers Bellway Homes.

The development will be called Carter's Court, in honour of the former store, and will be made up of 10 four-bed houses, and three apartment blocks made up of 21 one-bed, 18 two-bed and 11 three-bed flats.

Of those, 30 per cent will be affordable, made up of seven one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats, five three-bedroom flats and two four-bedroom houses.

The site plan for the Carters redevelopment in Caversham Road, Reading, with a total of 60 homes. Credit: RM_A

Although none of the homes have been constructed yet, marketing for the development has been begun by Haslams Estate agents, with prices ranging from £280,000 to £450,000.

Bellway has touted evidence from Ernst & Young (EY), a Reading-based accountancy firm, that between 2024 and 2027 the town is set to overtake Manchester as the UK's fastest location for economic growth.

Emma Russell, sales director at Bellway said: “Reading is in a strong position to make the most of the UK’s booming technology sector, providing plentiful career opportunities locally, as well as easy access to London.

"At the same time, it offers all the charm of traditional town life, including beautiful riverside parks and outstanding-rated schools.

"We are delighted to be launching new homes at Carter’s Court to match the high-quality lifestyle expectations of local residents.”

Bellway also claims the homes are designed to meet the needs of first-time buyers, families, downsizers and commuters from Reading to London and Oxford, with Reading Train Station being just over a 10-minute walk away.

Furthermore, 30 car parking spaces and 38 cycle parking spaces will be provided on-site.

What the Caversham Road frontage would look like at the Carters site in Reading. Credit: RM_A

The demolition of Carters was approved by Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee in February last year, with a legal agreement being met by Bellway in September 2023.

The new road created within the development will be called Carter's Close after the council's committee agreed to the street name at a meeting in January this year.

You can view the approved project by typing reference 221324 into the council's planning portal.

Carters was founded in Thatcham in 1820 and moved to Caversham Road in 1962.