Exciting Plans Unveiled for Purple Turtle Expansion

Plans are moving forward to bring a defunct building back into use as an entertainment venue, led by the owners of Reading's most famous bar.

Plans finally moving forward for Purple Turtle expansion (PL/25/1502)

The Purple Turtle is set to expand into the neighbouring Gun Street building to create a cafe or restaurant, new performance space and a backstage area for performers. The latest version of the scheme was approved in February last year, and the council signed off the external and internal details on 10 July.

Kitchen extraction for upcoming Italian restaurant (PL/26/0411)

Permission has been granted to install kitchen extraction, fresh air ducting and two condenser units at the long-vacant Market Place building in Bristol & West Arcade. Owner Luftar Rusta, who runs Tasty Greek Souvlaki, hopes the new Italian restaurant in the property empty for 19 years will open later this year.

Gym set for relocation in Broad Street Mall (PL/26/0546)

The Gym Group, which currently faces St Mary's Butts and operates 24/7, will move to a unit facing Oxford Road. Like now, most of its floorspace will be on the mall's first floor.

Conversion of East Reading house into children's home rejected (PL/26/0114)

A plan to convert a five-bedroom house in Eastern Avenue, near Cemetery Junction, into a care home for up to three children aged five to 16 was refused on 8 July. Planning officer Catrin Davies said that, while acceptable in principle, the use would create a cramped appearance out of keeping with the area.

You can view each decided application on Reading Borough Council's planning portal by typing the reference in brackets.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter