£12m investment bid revealed to revitalise Reading's Hexagon theatre

Reading Borough Council has revealed its plan to bid for £20m to revitalise Hexagon and Central Library. It will to submit the bid for Government ‘Levelling Up’ funding to breathe new life into the theatre and build a new library.

The roposal includes £12m investment to revitalise the popular Hexagon theatre, creating an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The 1970s-built Hexagon has a number of limitations for future improvements due to its design and age. The proposal is to extend to the right-hand side of the existing building with an entrance directly off Queens Walk, offering much-improved accessibility and new multi-function community space that can accommodate a wider variety of performances and uses.

If the council’s bid is successful, this will form the first phase of a longer-term regeneration of the Hexagon.

The bid also includes an £8m investment to rebuild Central Library at the council’s Civic Offices in Bridge Street.

More details information on the proposals and the associated bid is be available at www.reading.gov.uk/LevellingUp

Reading council leader Jason Brock said: “Both the Hexagon Theatre and Reading Central Library are major institutions in our town which continue to be very well-used and extremely popular.

"I think most people would agree with me, however, when I say that both buildings are dated and present limitations to improving our future cultural and learning offer.

“This Levelling Up funding pot now offers us the opportunity to do just that. If we are successful in our bid, it will offer us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise and breathe new life into the cultural and learning offer in this part of Reading.

"A brand-new and additional flexible performance and community space would be created at the Hexagon Theatre. We would also construct a modern new custom-built Reading Central Library at the Civic Offices site on Bridge Street.

"Importantly, both projects would enable us to ensure much-improved accessibility so that everyone can use and enjoy the facilities."