A COMMUNITY centre in East Reading is set to undergo a £280,000 upgrade to provide improved facilities.

Sun Street Youth & Community Centre operates as one of Reading Borough Council’s children’s centres and the works will allow it to offer a wider range of services.

The work is being planned as part of the council’s £2m Community Hubs programme, which has involved major improvements to centres in South Reading and Southcote and Amersham Road’s Weller Centre.

Works to extend Battle Library for community use are due to start early in 2019.

Councillor Sophia James, lead member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said: “Sun Street Youth & Community Centre is a valuable venue for residents in the heart of east Reading.

“The proposed investment will make it an even more attractive space for future community use.”

Members of the council’s Policy committee will be asked to approve the works on October 29.

Funding for the project has come from the Earley Charity and the council and work is expected to start in spring 2019 if the plans are approved.

The proposals are to make internal alterations to Sun Street, which will enable the provision of a training room, space for adult education classes and accommodation for health visiting and maternity services.

Councillor Liz Terry, lead member for Children’s Services, added: “The improvements to Sun Street Youth & Community Centre will be a big benefit to families who visit for Children’s Centre services and for local residents.

“The internal alterations and reconfiguration of the centre will enable the full range of Children’s Centre services to be provided in more comfortable and updated surroundings.”

Sun Street Youth & Community Centre was identified as one of the borough’s four main children’s centre hubs following a review of the service in 2017.

The others are at South Reading Community Hub, Southcote Community Hub and Ranikhet Children’s Centre. Three satellite centres also operate at Battle Library, Coley Children’s Centre and Caversham Children’s Centre.