Hexagon Theatre Upgrade Brings Jobs to Reading

Construction at Reading's main theatre is already helping locals

Work on the Hexagon began in June last year and is due to finish in May 2027. The £15m upgrade is offering local jobs and training while it runs.

Feltham Construction signed an Education and Skills Plan with the council on 22 June. It includes using Reading apprentices and offering work shadowing for foremen and document control roles.

Thames Water has permission for a new two‑storey operational control building at its Island Road treatment works. The firm says the building will support increased monitoring demands from OFWAT. Planning officer Jonathan Markwell criticised the lack of on‑site landscaping and the impact on trees but said the use was appropriate. The facility will have a peak occupancy of 23 staff.

National Tyres and Autocare in Katesgrove (run by Halfords) is temporarily closed for upgrades and should reopen next month. The firm has applied to raise a roller shutter so it can install a new MOT lane, with a brickwork‑encased steel column proposed in the centre of the opening.

At Reading Abbey girls school, changes to Richards Hall have been approved. The two‑storey building used for exams and events will get a wheelchair ramp and less glazing to reduce overheating. Planning officer Nathalie Weekes said the changes would be improvements for users.

You can view each application by typing the reference shown into Reading Borough Council's planning portal.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter