Reading News
News
Reading Borough Council declares a major incident after the River Thames bursts its banks in Caversham, forcing evacuations of 150 riverside properties. Meanwhile, the long-delayed Crossrail 2 extension to Reading gets final approval, with construction set to begin in early 2026.
Business News
Thames Valley Science Park announces three new tech tenants, creating 200 high-value jobs. Sage Therapeutics expands its Reading HQ with a £50m neuroscience research facility, while the Oracle Shopping Centre reports 92% occupancy following its wellness-focused refurbishment.
Economic News
Reading's economy grew by 3.9% last quarter - the strongest in the Southeast outside London - driven by life sciences and fintech. However, office vacancy rates remain stubbornly high at 18% in the town centre. Unemployment stands at 2.7%, well below national levels.
Political News
Conservative-led Reading Council faces protests over plans to convert Central Library into mixed-use development. The controversial IDR redesign project faces further delays after archaeological finds near the Abbey Ruins.
Election News
Reading's constituencies (East, West) remain key Labour-Conservative battlegrounds, with recent polls showing Labour gaining ground in traditional Tory strongholds. Local issues dominating debates include NHS waiting times at Royal Berkshire Hospital and the housing crisis.
Employment News
Microsoft's new Thames Valley campus creates 500 tech jobs, now recruiting data scientists. Thames Water announces 150 engineering positions, while hospitality businesses struggle to fill vacancies ahead of summer festivals.
Business News
Shares in Reading-based Yell Group surge 12% after digital transformation success. Bayer UK, with major operations in the town, sees shares dip 3% amid pharmaceutical sector volatility.
Forecast
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Wednesday (18 June): Thunderstorms, 22°C
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Thursday: Showers, 20°C
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Friday: Sunny intervals, 23°C
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Saturday: Cloudy, 21°C
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Sunday: Light rain, 19°C
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Monday: Partly cloudy, 24°C
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Tuesday: Warm sunshine, 26°C
Entertainment News
Hexagon Theatre announces its autumn season, including a world premiere about Reading's brewing heritage. Reading Festival (23-25 August) releases final tickets, with Arctic Monkeys and Dua Lipa headlining.
Upcoming Events in Reading
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Reading Water Fest (21-23 June) - Caversham Court Gardens
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Reading Fringe Festival (24 June - 7 July) - 50+ venues
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Reading Pride (29 June) - Kings Meadow
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Reading Beer and Cider Festival (28 June - 1 July) - Christchurch Meadows
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Outdoor Cinema: Dune 2 (26 June, Forbury Gardens)
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Reading FC Family Open Day (27 June) - Select Car Leasing Stadium
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Reading Science Festival (29 June - 2 July) - Various venues
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Victorian Evening (5 July) - Town centre shopping event
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Reading Abbey Ruins Concert (6 July) - Mozart under the stars
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WOMAD Festival (25-28 July) - Nearby Malmesbury
Key Features:
���� Tech Hub: Tracking Reading's Silicon Valley expansion
���� Education Focus: University of Reading's growing influence
����️ Town Centre Revival: Oracle and Broad Street developments
���� Festival City: Summer of major cultural events
For breaking updates follow Reading Chronicle on social media.
Transport Alert: Temporary closure of Caversham Bridge until 24 June for emergency repairs.
Editor's Note: This edition highlights:
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Reading's flood response efforts
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The town's growing tech sector
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Controversial development plans
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Summer of major festivals
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