Latest news

Curtain up at New Studio Theatre a step closer after planning application approved

Reading audiences will have the best seats in the house after plans to breathe life into the Hexagon by adding a new studio theatre have been approved by the Council. Reading Borough Council’s plans include a striking new accessible public entrance with a welcoming public area and flexible community space. Behind the new front door, a new studio auditorium is set to be built with a capacity of up to 300.

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Readipop Festival 2024 – Day Tickets & Second Line-Up Announcement

Readipop Festival, which takes place by the banks of the River Thames in Christchurch Meadows (10 mins walk from Reading Station) between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th July, has now announced who will be playing on each day of the festival and made limited day tickets available.

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32 creative projects in Reading receive Seed Fund grants from Creative Lives

Creative Lives, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, is proud to announce the full list of Seed Fund grants to support creative activities and encourage residents to feel connected to Reading. They awared 32 grants totalling £28,300, part of Reading Borough Council’s commitment to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in creative activities where they live and enhance community engagement. 

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New mural coming to St Mary's Butts High Street Heritage Action Zone

Reading High Street Heritage Action Zone has commissioned local artists Commando Jugendstil to paint a large mural in the HSHAZ St Mary’s Butts conservation area that celebrates the history and community of the area. Titled ‘The Market Tree’ the mural will represent the area’s heritage using characters and symbols chosen via community engagement. The community can get involved with painting the mural alongside the artists until the end of March. 

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Sneak preview of award-winning independent Reading bar Milk’s new design

Popular independent Reading bar Milk, winner of the Pride of Reading 2023 Hospitality Award, has teamed up with local interior design company MacGregor Studio to give the venue a full refresh. Milk, which recently celebrated 12 years since their opening, will reopen to the public with a new look, new cocktail menu, new staff and a new sound system as Milk’s founder Tim Hooper gets back behind the wheel.

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Reading Walks Festival 2024 programme announced

REDA, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency, has announced the programme for Reading Walks Festival 2024. Following on from last year’s successful inaugural festival, the 2024 festival will see almost 50 guided walks take place across nine days in May. The festival is suitable for all ages and walking ability with walks ranging in length from a one-hour wellbeing stroll to a two-day pilgrimage.

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Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre Announce "The Importance Of Being Oscar Wilde"

Micheál Mac Liammóir’s renowned play The Importance of Being Oscar returns to the stage following huge critical acclaim. Told in the shadows of Reading Gaol, where Wilde was imprisoned, the strictly limited run will immerse audiences in a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes and struggles of the iconic man - from the eccentric socialite to the imprisoned outcast.

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Broader smiles than ever on Broad Street for Launchpad's Pancake Race

A total of £8,500 (so far!) has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw 34 teams brave the weather and batter it out on Broad Street, celebrating Shrove Tuesday. The money raised by all the amazing teams will help fund Launchpad’s vital services across Reading. Helping people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.

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Reading Rep Theatre Announce The Launch Of Reading Rep Theatre: Reborn In Film

Reading Rep Theatre partnered with Barracuda Films to create five short films to celebrate Reading’s growing artistic community and spirit. Both companies are committed to working with local Reading-based talent. These shorts have been made with a local cast and crew, filmed in local Berkshire locations.

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Berkshire Maestros becomes Berkshire Music Trust

Berkshire Maestros are delighted to announce that in line with their new vision, mission and values, they are rebranding as the Berkshire Music Trust this summer. They announced their new name at a Garden Party event, the culmination of their celebrations of having been an educational charity in Berkshire for 40 years.

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£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone

The ambitious Hexagon Theatre project will see the creation of an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The Council today (Wednesday 12 July) announced the official appointment of the internationally renowned professional team who will support this major project moving forward.

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Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023

Reading town centre businesses are officially celebrating after receiving news that its vibrant night-time economy (ENTE) has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. The award, which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.

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Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library

READING Council has been awarded £19.1 million to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library. The Council is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ funding pot, announced yesterday (Jan 18).

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Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home

Private recordings of playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, hidden away for three decades, have been donated to the University of Reading’s Beckett archive, the largest collection of materials relating to the Nobel prize-winning author in the world.

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Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues

READING BOROUGH COUNCIL’S Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service team has been announced as the winner at the APSE, Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards.

The national awards recognises the best and most innovative local authorities, focusing on the delivery of frontline services and seeks to celebrate those councils who are achieving excellent results in a wide range of different service areas.

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