Classified

Reading Borough Council

Reading Borough Council
Civic Centre
Reading
RG1 7AE

0118 939 0700

» http://www.reading.gov.uk/

» 21st Century Reading

Reading is one of the fastest growing centres for business, shopping, transport and leisure in the UK.

It enjoys an unrivalled position in the heart of the Thames Valley - one of the loveliest and most dynamic areas in the South. Many international companies have chosen Reading as their home, thanks to its unrivalled communications network, quality public services and outstanding recreational facilities.

The city centre is a delightful combination of over a thousand years of history with all the assets of a modern, vibrant city. A walk around the historic heart of Reading reveals not only the Victorian red-brick buildings for which the city is famous, but beautiful medieval churches, famous old coaching inns, and some stunning high-tech office developments.

We are proud to be a city of contrasts – right next to the medieval Abbey Ruins is Reading prison – made famous by inmate Oscar Wilde's epic poem "The Ballad of Reading Gaol". From here you can enjoy a quiet walk along the Kennet - to Blake's Lock where the famous Kennet and Avon Canal starts, or to The Oracle – the home of modern shopping - if you walk in the other direction.

The City Centre

Reading is one of the UK's top 10 retail destinations, and is the only place outside of London where you will find the country’s four top department stores in one location – Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.
The arrival of the stunning Oracle Shopping and Leisure Complex has brought nearly 100 new prestige shops to the city, to join the established areas of Broad Street and Friar Street. The Oracle also boasts a 10-screen cinema and a fantastic range of bars and restaurants.
The culmination of all the hard work in creating a city centre for the 21st Century was recognised when the government awarded Reading the coveted title of Beacon Status for City Centre regeneration 2001/2002 – holding it up as an example of excellence for all other town and cities.

Working in Reading

Reading is a great place to work. How many organisations can offer you this many career opportunities: Arts & Theatres; Leisure; Libraries; Museums; Teaching; Administration; Building Control; Children & Family Services; Community Care; Community Services; Policy
Education Planning, Support & Standards; Environmental Services; Financial Services; Housing Management; Highways; Human Resources; Marketing & PR; Planning ; Social Services; Transport?

Our excellent benefits package includes: flexible working; 24 days holiday rising to 32 days;
excellent training & career opportunities; final salary pension scheme; retail & leisure discounts; staff club – further discounts & activities; season ticket/transport loans; staff support service.

Visit www.reading.gov.uk and click on ‘jobs’ to view our wide range of opportunities. Register for 'jobs by e-mail' on our website and we'll send you relevant jobs direct to your inbox. You'll also receive details on new vacancies as soon as they're posted.

Entertainment

Reading has long been recognised as a regional centre for evening entertainment. Live music venues, an excellent choice of traditional pubs and quality arts venues feature alongside many of the trendiest wine bars and cafes in the country. Our city-centre Warner Village Cinema means you can enjoy film entertainment and be spoilt for choice of outstanding restaurants, casinos and night-clubs – almost all within easy walking distance.

Our major theatre, The Hexagon presents a diverse annual programme covering everything from international orchestras and touring theatre to family pantomime. The Concert Hall is a beautifully renovated Victorian venue that is the perfect setting for performance events of all kinds.

As well as larger arts venues you can enjoy centres such as 21 South Street, The Rising Sun and Progress Theatre. These smaller theatres and arts centres offer everything from dance classes to the best in stand up comedy.

Reading is also renowned for its programme of major festivals and events, including the Real Ale and Jazz Festival and one of the UK’s biggest music events - Reading Festival, held every August bank holiday. Community events include Water Fest, Children’s Festival and major sports action includes Reading Half Marathon and Reading Amateur Regatta.

Museums

To discover our remarkable heritage head for the Museum of Reading. The colourful, family-friendly galleries tell the story of Reading through interactive displays. It’s most important collections include the Calleva (Roman Silchester) Gallery, the Huntley and Palmer gallery and the famous Victorian copy of the Bayeux Tapestry. Other Museums include The Museum of English Rural Life at Whiteknights (national collection of farming and agricultural artefacts) and the magnificent River and Rowing Museum in nearby Henley.


Sports
Leisure centres are varied. The most popular sites are probably Rivermead (a large venue which for events as well as offering a full range of sports and swimming) and Central Pool (choice of 3 pools in one complex). Both are near the city centre.
Spectator sports moved into a new era with the opening of the Madejski Stadium Complex – a state of the art 25,000-seater stadium at the southern gateway to Reading. Home to Reading Football Club and London Irish Rugby, the stadium also hosts national events. The complex is also home to the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre and Millennium Hotel.
Generally, sports are well served throughout the region – fishing and water based sports are obvious favourites, but Reading is also home to champion hockey, speedway and bowling teams.

On the Water Front
Reading was founded between two major waterways - the Thames and the Kennet – so boating and water based activities including rowing and canoeing are central to life here. Holidays on the inland waterways bring thousands into the region every year – and more come to enjoy the superb walking offered by the Ridgeway and Thames Path national trails.
Reading’s extensive parkland includes unspoilt riverside meadows – ideal for gentle walking or picnics – where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Business, Diversity and the Economy

Reading is home for many major international companies because of its excellent location and the quality of life on offer.

The world's top Information Technology and Communications companies (including Cisco, Compaq, Energis, Microsoft, Oracle Corporation and WorldCom) have all chosen Reading as the location for Headquarter offices. Prudential, Baan, Global Crossing, Logica, ICL, Thames Water and Yellow Pages are a few of the other major employers in the town.

But the big names are only part of the picture, Reading is bursting with economic activity and growth, driven by a wide range of industry sectors made up of businesses of all sizes. The spectacular changes of the last 20 years have transformed Reading into a service and financial centre, supporting business globally.

While major office developments such as Green Park and Thames Valley Park have enabled prestigious and growing companies to move to Reading, the city centre redevelopment has attracted many of Europe’s best retailers and restaurant chains. This in turn has attracted more and more young professionals to move here – for the exciting nightlife and general quality of life on offer.

A consequence of such a booming economy is that people are starting to look at Reading in a different light. It has progressed rapidly from its image of a traditional, manufacturing town, to one of leading-edge technology and high value business. Nevertheless, Reading retains a very important core of manufacturing businesses, including Gillette and the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery.


CITY 2020

The council vision for the future for Reading - Reading City 2020 - is the creation of a city centre with the highest quality environment. City 2020 is all about people, buildings, culture, business, opportunity and movement. Quality of life and access are the key themes underpinning all aspects of the vision which will see Reading develop around a series of environmentally and socially sustainable communities. Each will provide schools, healthcare, sport, local shopping and employment to meet the communities' day to day needs. These “village” areas will be connected by a network of safe footpaths, cycleways and an efficient and convenient public transport system. Open spaces will also be an important feature across the town

Reading's distinctive character will merge the past with a confidence in the future that will enhance its position as the capital of the Thames Valley, centre of the region and gateway between Europe and the United Kingdom, that will truly make Reading - City 2020.