19/01/2023
This is so cool ...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=605551404913978&id=100063773700582
We are thrilled to announce the Council has been awarded Ā£19.1 million to revitalise Readingās cultural offer, by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library š
Reading is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Governmentās āLevelling Upā funding pot, announced yesterday, 18 January
The council's bid is made up of:
š An Ā£8 million investment to rebuild Central Library at the Councilās Civic Offices in Bridge Street:
The existing Central Library on the Kingās 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. A brand-new custom-built Central Library, incorporated into the current Civic Offices site, will create a modern and open space, offering a much-improved, accessible environment for everyone. The ambition is to create a flexible space for the whole community that embraces not only the traditional offer of book loans but looks to the future with our digital and learning offer.
š A Ā£12 million investment to revitalise Readingās much-loved and popular Hexagon Theatre, creating an attractive, flexible and exciting 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, called HexBox, that can accommodate a wider variety of performances and uses. This project will form the first phase of a longer-term regeneration of the Hexagon and the wider Minster Quarter.