Queen Victoria Street courtyard development

[peterson]

I've come across some new proposals for a regeneration of one end of Queen Victoria Street including a new courtyard surrounded by small retail units, written up more fully here:
https://readingonthames.com/2021/01/29/ ... -unveiled/

The upper floors would be an apart hotel.


Looks very promising. Developer is looking for feedback at their site:
https://queenvictoriastreet.co.uk/feedback

[chris_j_wood]

Good spot. That is really interesting, especially in its description of what is there at the moment.

I always wondered what happened to the dining area of the previous Burger King, which clearly isn't included in the public areas of the current Cafe Nero and it is a bit sad to hear that it has been vacant and Ieft to deteriorate for over 10 years, with incursions by rough sleepers.

And the brief reference to the former cabinet factory which is somewhere out the back is just tantalising.

I think I support the development. It would great to reuse this space rather than leave it to deteriorate further.

[dave m]

Stand by for the first comment that what it needs is an ice rink/ Olympic swimming pool/ speedway track.

Shops don't need to be anywhere as large as they once did, with stock delivery daily and modern shopping panels. There is a tremendous amount of wasted space inside bathe blocks of the town centre.

There's a walled off yard behind Boots that she only exists because of the need for a fire exit.
That could be opened up for cafe use easily.

[Voiceoftreason?]

Nice. I like that idea, and the one for Bristol and West arcade. The Suites in Liverpool is an apartotel kind of thing. The apartments are great, not hotel like at all and very comfy for a couple three nights stay.

Who would fill the office space tho?

[lizwing]

So will QVSt become pedestrianised.

[KeithW]

So will QVSt become pedestrianised.

It is, other than deliveries between 6pm and 10am.

[lizwing]

Sorry, I’ve been gone a long time, actually I remember now.

[Avis]

The Memories of Old Reading Facebook group has some interesting pictures by Callum Cromwell of the courtyard and the interior of the existing building.

[Ollycat]

Golly - a sympathetic restoration. RBC will never approve it. Not nearly enough concrete.

[Fed-up]

Looks nice and would be good to see the buildings restored properly.

Reminds me a bit of Milsom Place in Bath, which seems to have a chequered history with regards to tenants. Hopefully they can make the scheme work in Reading.

[OLDMAN]

Looks good