A new Tesco is due to open in town next year just over the road from McDonald’s and KFC drive thru’s plus a popular retail park in Reading.
The supermarket giant is building the new Tesco site within the huge Huntley Wharf development being built close the Forbury Retail Park.
The plan for the massive project for 765 homes was approved back in 2018, with construction underway at the site which replaces the old Homebase and Toys R Us site opposite the retail park.
The Huntley Wharf development is currently part completed, with the works being undertaken by London and Quadrant (L&Q) and Berkeley Group.
It is made up of three sections, with the central and eastern sections completed by L&Q, with the western section fronting onto Kenavon Drive still being built.
The Tesco Express will be built in this section.
READ MORE: Berkeley Group makes progress on building nearly 1,000 homes in Reading
However, the new Tesco will not be opening for a while, as staff on site at the development saying that the store would only be set for opening in 18 months, or December 2024.
Work on the unit is currently taking place near the site office for one of the buildings still under construction, with the Tesco fronting onto Kenavon Drive.
According to the outline plan for the development, the Tesco will have eight car parking spaces and it is understood the new store will be a Tesco Express.
Ahead of its expected opening next year, Tesco has submitted a licensing application to sell alcohol and food until midnight each day of the week.
In full, the supermarket giant has applied to sell alcohol from 6am to midnight each day, and sell late-night food and drink until midnight each night.
Other community facilities have been finished and occupied in other sections of the development including Monkey Moos nursery, with the daycare company winning advertising consent for its sign in June.
Meanwhile, a unit designated in plans as a yoga studio remains unoccupied, despite being available for occupation since the summer last year.
Tesco confirmed that it will be opening a new store, but was unable to confirm an opening date as plans remain in their early stages.
Anyone wishing to comment on the licensing application can do so by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is Wednesday, August 30.
You can view the outline approval for the Huntley Wharf development by typing reference 170509 into the council’s planning portal.
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