A plan for The Oracle in Reading has been submitted which could bring historic changes to shopping centre.
Until the pandemic the centre has had two department stores House of Fraser and Debenhams, which have been in the centre since it opened in 1999.
Although Debenhams closed in 2020, the store was occupied by Next Beauty & Home and House of Fraser has soldiered on, still attracting customers.
But now, department store space in The Oracle could change according to a plan submitted by the centre’s part owners Hammerson.
Here is everything you need to know about what could happen to the centre.
What’s happening to Next Beauty & Home?
Planning agents Turley have revealed that Next Beauty & Home are due to vacate the former Debenhams department store in September 2023.
Next Beauty & Home opened in December 2020, occupying the former Debenhams unit.
Debenhams closed during the first lockdown in 2020 and never reopened, with the store owners confirming its permanent closure in May that year.
READ MORE: Restaurants that could close at The Oracle to make way for 449 flat transformation
News of the planned closure of Next Beauty & Home has not been confirmed by Next yet.
That means the store could possibly remain, but that is unlikely according to a planning statement written by Turley.
The agents state: “Next Beauty & Home have taken occupation of the Debenhams unit but are only trading from one floor and have a very concessionary agreement in place which leaves the landlord with all of the
occupational costs for the unit.”
Therefore it is most likely that the store will close this September.
What’s happening with House of Fraser?
If the plan goes ahead, House of Fraser is likely to downsize, with some of its existing floorspace being occupied by different businesses.
It is not the first time in recent memory that the store has faced a plan that would put its future in Reading in doubt.
In 2019, a plan emerged to convert the department store into a mini golf complex, bowling alley and food hall.
READ MORE: Puttshack mini golf to replace part of House of Fraser at The Oracle
Although that planning application was approved, it will no longer be acted upon, due to what Turley agents describe as a ‘change in market requirements and operational demands’.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has requested a statement from House of Fraser but has not received a response so far.
Why are the changes being made?
According to the planning agents, there is no longer a need for a large amount of department store space in Reading.
It is argued that when it was built, The Oracle shopping centre needed ‘anchor stores’ which would attract shoppers due to their popularity and the convenience of providing a wide range of goods in a single location.
The recognition of the popularity of department stores was confirmed when the planning application for The Oracle was approved in 1997, which had a condition stating that department store space must be preserved.
But now the planning agents say there is “diminished demand” for department stores, which the agents argue have not diversified in response to changing shopping habits, primarily the boom in online shopping.
This decline is seen in the closure of Debenhams and the emergence of the plan to convert House of Fraser into a mini golf complex, bowling alley and food hall.
READ MORE: See plans to transform The Oracle shopping centre with 449 flats added
The changes would divide the department store space up at both ends of the shopping centre for different retailers and potentially food businesses as well.
The application therefore seeks to change the condition of The Oracle’s planning consent preserving a certain amount of floor space for department store use.
However, the plan would still preserve a minimum of 1,000 square metres of floorspace for department store use.
Where can I look at the plans?
You can view the application yourself by typing reference 230682 into Reading Borough Council’s online planning portal.
A public consultation on the application closes on Friday, July 28.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel