Plan to add flats to Reading Central Club given the go ahead

Plans have been afoot for years to demolish Reading Central Club in London Street for housing.

The building contains an iconic 36m-long (118ft) mural Black History Mural, which depicts Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Reading man Terrance Jeff Allamby and other prominent people.

While a project for a new building containing 17 flats and community space was approved in July 2023, the building owners Red Line made revisions to its plans.

The revisions involved reducing the amount of three-bedroom units, creating a new entrance and providing a ramp for wheelchair access.

These changes were recently discussed at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee.

Councillor John Ennis welcomed progress on the project due to the significance of the site to the town.

Cllr Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said: "I think this is a long time coming.

"The delays in a long-term [vacant] building. I can remember it as a young person seeing some really good bands, and seeing it as a diverse part of our community, and it's really good to see it secured.

"There's lots to be positive about this application, which I hugely support."

Councillors particularly supported the policy-compliant provision of 30 per cent affordable housing being provided on site.

These are made up of a one bedroom and two two-bedroom flasts being made available at Reading affordable rent levels and a two-bedroom and one-bedroom flat coming under a 'First Homes' scheme.

The development will provide seven one-bed, nine two-bed and three-bed flats in total.

Another facet of the project that was welcomed is the provision of new community space.

The approved revisions to the ground floor of the new building at the Reading Central Club site in London Street, Reading. (Image: Colony Architects)

Since the Central Club closed in 2006 some members of the Caribbean community have felt that they lost a place to congregate.

Yvonne Yew of Reading Caribbean Express News said in an interview that the community has been deprived of a place to meet and receive advice.

Yvonne Yew, who runs Reading Caribbean Express News. (Image: Yvonne Yew)

Cllr Ennis said: "It's really good for there to be a community facility to be utilised there, and I really hope that it is as diverse in its nature as it always was.

"The Central Club was unique to Reading and it was part of the fabric."

The council's Labour administration sold the site to Red Line in 2018 on the provision that the mural will be fully preserved.

Speaking passionately about the mural, cllr Ennis said: "That mural is historic, it's outstanding, and it is part of the psyche and fabric of our town. It's part of Reading culture, not just black culture, but Reading culture.

"I was deeply proud and  I am still proud of that mural, that is Reading, that is us, that is what Reading looks like in my view.

"And we've invested as a council in its protection. Long may it stay."

During questioning, cllr Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove) raised concerns that a relocated door for those living in affordable flats could be classed as a 'poor door', which he said 'rings all sorts of 'horrible bells'.

He also questioned whether those living in affordable housing would have access to a courtyard in the development, with planning officer Tom Bradfield clarified that all future residents will have access to it.

Micky Leng (Labour. Whitley) lead councillor for planning said that he opposed the stigma that 'poor doors' can create, but argued separate access can make affordable flats run by housing companies or the council easier to manage.

The project was unanimously approved by councillors on October 2.

You can view the approved project by typing reference 221364 into the council's planning portal.