Revamp plan for retail park
A RETAIL park in west Reading is to receive a new look after planning permission was granted for several projects, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter.
The KFC drive through restaurant and the former Wrens Kitchen at the Reading Retail Park on Oxford Road are the focus for the plans, given consent by Reading Borough Council’s planning department.
The takeaway will see an additional lane installed for the drive through, and there will be new signage, including chicken artwork and an image of the chain’s founder, Colonel Saunders.
Threadneedle UK Property, which owns the park, has applied to make changes to the vacant Wrens Kitchen unit. Halfords will relocate to this smaller unit.
The project would involve the loss of two parking spaces to improve pedestrian access.
Once Halfords has relocated, a foodstore could move into a new enlarged space created by merging the existing Halfords unit and a closed branch of Carpetright.
Adam Cornish, from Threadneedle’s
planning agent Quod said: “Halfords, while looking to retain their presence at Reading Retail Park, have actively been looking to downsize their operation.
“This formed part of the narrative behind the submission of the amalgamation plan, which, once permitted, will allow Units B and C at Reading Retail Park to be amalgamated and used as a foodstore.
“As a result, Halfords can relocate to the vacant former Wren Kitchens Unit.”
Wrens Kitchens moved out in 2018, focusing on its branch at Reading Gateway.
The retail park in Oxford Road has undergone some changes over the years.
The unit KFC occupies used to be a Pizza Hut, which was converted into KFC by 2012. Meanwhile, Carpetright, which occupied the unit next to Halfords, closed last year.
The application for Halfords’ relocation can is reference 231812, KFC’s applications are 220073 and 220072. All can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.