A new escape room is coming to Reading town centre as preparation works have been given the go-ahead.
A new escape room is set to open in Reading town centre after receiving the green light for renovation works.
Changes are underway at the former Parkers estate agents in Market Place to transform it into the escape room.
Initially, the planning officers from Reading Borough Council informed the on-site team that planning permission was needed for the alterations.
The applicant submitted detailed designs, which include repainting the shopfront black and making internal adjustments.
Planning officer Marcelina Rejwerska noted: "Permission is sought for internal alterations to facilitate the new use of the property as an escape room with four themed game rooms. These include new timber doors, stud walls, suspended ceilings, and a new toilet in the basement to replace the kitchen."
Although work had begun on the installation of stud walls and flooring, it was paused pending approval.
Overall, the alterations were deemed suitable, with Rejwerska stating that the external changes would blend well with the property's character, while the internal modifications are lightweight and reversible.
The project received approval on September 26.
You can find the application by entering reference PL/25/1033 on the council’s planning portal.
The escape room follows Parkers’ relocation to 11-12 Market Place last year and will be situated next to an unoccupied black-painted building and The Bap Korean Street Food, which opened in August 2023.
This escape room is part of a wider redevelopment of Market Place by Watercrown, aiming to restore properties 27-32 for eight apartments, a new retail unit, and a pub measuring 260.4 sqm, reviving the area after the Coopers Arms pub closed in 2010.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
