Reading
This coverage examines retail activity, business developments, and economic trends in Reading, a significant UK retail hub. Reporting includes updates on store openings and closures, regeneration projects, property investments, planning decisions, and local market dynamics — providing retail professionals, property managers, and executives with insights into commercial opportunities and challenges in the area.
-
Jul- 2025 -4 JulySupermarkets
Waitrose invests in first south west distribution centre
Waitrose has announced a multi-million investment in a 360,000sq ft distribution centre in Bristol to support its expansion and improve deliveries to customers in the south west of England. The facility at Mountpark’s Bristol 360 site will be the retailer’s first in the region. Due to open in late 2026,…
Read More » -
Mar- 2025 -26 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-26/3/25
John Lewis is close to securing approval for its housing project in Reading, transforming a former customer collection facility into 215 homes, including 49% family-sized units and 10% affordable rentals. The development, featuring shared workspaces, a gym, and communal areas, is part of an £80m investment in rental housing. A…
Read More » -
26 MarchProperty
John Lewis housing development nears approval
John Lewis has submitted proposals to redevelop its former customer collection facility in Reading into a housing project, according to reports from the BBC. The scheme includes a mixture of 111 one-bedroom, 92 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom homes. The site, which was previously used for customers to collect orders, closed…
Read More » -
10 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-10/3/25
WH Smith is nearing a decision on the sale of its high street business, with two bidders, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remaining in the race. The retailer, which has seen its Travel business outperform high street outlets, confirmed in January it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale.…
Read More » -
10 MarchSupermarkets
Asda eyes sale of car parking space to finance debt
Asda has reportedly launched a process to sell off almost 10 acres of car parking space as a way to reduce its debt, according to The Telegraph. Newsteer, which is advising Asda on the sales, has informed potential developers that Asda has identified surplus space at its stores in Slough,…
Read More » -
Jan- 2025 -21 JanuarySupermarkets
Frozen food to see ‘meteoric rise’ in 2025, Iceland predicts
Iceland has forecast a rise in the popularity of frozen food, which will become a “big focus” in 2025 as British shoppers follow trends seen across America. According to new research from the supermarket, frozen food sales in America rose by 54% towards the end of last year, with the…
Read More » -
Oct- 2024 -1 OctoberDIY
Dobbies to close 17 stores as it unveils restructuring plan
Dobbies Garden Centres Limited has launched a restructuring plan that will see the closure of 17 unprofitable stores to address “historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability”. Dobbies will close 11 main sites, and six little dobbies sites, which will impact 465 colleagues, of which 82…
Read More » -
Sep- 2024 -4 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-4/9/24
John Lewis Partnership has submitted an £80m proposal to transform a disused warehouse in Reading into 215 energy-efficient rental homes. The planning application, now with Reading Borough Council, envisions a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units featuring amenities for fitness, home-working, and socialising, alongside community spaces and public green…
Read More » -
4 SeptemberDepartment Stores
John Lewis submits £80m plan to turn Reading depot into housing
The John Lewis Partnership has submitted plans for an £80m development that would see a disused Reading warehouse turned into new rental housing.The group submitted a planning application to Reading Borough Council with its proposal to transform the former distribution warehouse into 215 energy-efficient homes. The proposed regeneration would also…
Read More » -
Jul- 2024 -24 JulyDIY
Tapi confirms Carpetright store closure locations
The full list of 218 Carpetright stores set to close following the company’s acquisition by Tapi has been confirmed. Tapi has acquired the company’s IP as well as two warehouses and 54 of its stores saving 308 jobs. However, the details of the deal mean that 1,018 jobs across the…
Read More »
