THE TRANSFORMATION of one of the town's most iconic landmarks was given the go-ahead by planning chiefs this evening.

Developers want to convert Jacksons Corner into a block of flats with three restaurants occupying the ground floor.

The plans include converting the upper floors of the building into 18 flats, and would see a section behind demolished to build a six-story block with 16 apartments and a central courtyard.

Jacksons Corner was known for old-fashioned clothing and was once the go-to place for children as far as Bracknell to collect their school uniform.

Amazingly, money used to be transferred from the shop floor to its accounts department using pneumatic pipes.

The store on King's Road was forced to shut in late 2013 after 138 years of trading due to costly repair buildings and a decline in sales.

Planners want to completely revamp the inside of the department store, but the development will see the store's historic frontage and sign remain in place.

Councillor Jan Gavin told the meeting: "I remember those application coming in 2015 and we were pleased with it because of the way the application preserved the integrity of the outside of the building.

"It's a compass point for the people of Reading and it is a very very important building.

"This is not a shoddy development, it's a great development and I'm delighted it has come before us."

The committee approved of the plans at a council meeting tonight and developers can now begin the project, providing they stick to planning conditions.

A report prepared for councillors reads: "Full planning permission is sought for the change of use of the three upper floors of the existing frontage building to form residential units comprising 9 one-bedroom and 9 two-bedroom flats.

"The existing commercial use of the ground and basement levels would be retained and the ground floor at street level subdivided to form three restaurant units.

"In addition it is proposed to demolish the existing ancillary buildings to the rear and construct a new five storey residential block in approximately the same location as the existing four storey warehouse comprising 10 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom flats and 1 three-bedroom flat."

The decision to approve the plans was unanimous.