Reading bids for £20m of levelling up cash
The central library could be relocated while the Hexagon would be modernised
Last updated 28th Jun 2022
Proposals to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library have been unveiled.
Reading Borough Council plans to submit a £20 million bid for Government ‘Levelling Up’ funding to breathe new life into its cultural and learning offer for Reading residents.
Library
An £8 million investment to rebuild Central Library at the Council’s Civic Offices in Bridge Street: The existing Central Library on the King’s Road is well-used but is located in a dated building which is set over a series of floors, making accessibility difficult without significant investment. The council say a brand-new custom-built Central Library added to the current Civic Offices site would create a modern and open space, offering a much-improved, accessible environment for everyone.
Hexagon
A £12 million investment to revitalise Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, creating a new space for performances and community use: The 1970s-built Hexagon has a number of limitations for future improvements due to its design and age. The proposal is to extend to the right-hand side of the existing building with an entrance directly off Queens Walk offering much-improved accessibility and new multi-function community space that can accommodate a wider variety of performances and uses.
If the Council’s bid is successful, this will form the first phase of a longer-term regeneration of the Hexagon.
Reading Council Leader Jason Brock said:
“Both the Hexagon Theatre and Reading Central Library are major institutions in our town which continue to be very well-used and extremely popular. I think most people would agree with me, however, when I say that both buildings are dated and present limitations to improving our future cultural and learning offer to local residents.
“This Levelling Up funding pot now offers us the opportunity to do just that. If we are successful in our bid, it will offer us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and breathe new life into the cultural and learning offer in this part of Reading. A brand-new and additional flexible performance and community space would be created at the Hexagon Theatre. We would also construct a modern new custom-built Reading Central Library at the Civic Offices site on Bridge Street. Importantly, both projects would enable us to ensure much-improved accessibility so that everyone can use and enjoy the facilities.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to feed back their initial thoughts, which will help inform the final project.”
The Fund
The Government’s £4.8 billion fund runs until 24/25 and is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life for local residents by supporting town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.
More information about the Levelling up Fund can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/levelling-up-fund-round-2-prospectus