What next for The Oracle riverside as flooding eases

The Apres bar was in place in the pop-up area at The Oracle Riverside during the Christmas season.

At the time, guests enjoyed German beer and other drinks, marshmallow roasting, gatherings in private huts and karaoke booths.

The bar area was closed on New Year’s Day, and shortly after the shacks and seating became flooded due to rising water levels in the River Kennet.

Now the river levels have subsided, work can take place to remove the shacks and seating.

The water levels of the River Kennet have subsided at The Oracle Riverside in Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

It is understood the pack down was meant to take place on Tuesday, January 2 but was held up by the flooding.

Later this year, the area is set to be turned into a beach-themed cocktail bar which will be in place for the duration of the summer.

A spokesperson said dates for the Summer Beach Bar are to be confirmed.

The pop-up area is also used for temporary attractions, business promotions and traders.

In 2022, the space next to the bridge over the River Kennet was used for The Wizarding World Wand Tour, a promotional event for the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore film of that year.

READ MORE: Reading reporter learns how to use a wand from Harry Potter's teacher 

The spokesperson also said: “In relation to further pop-ups and activities, we continue to focus on introducing new brands, concepts and events to our spaces throughout The Oracle to excite and engage our visitors.

“Reading has one of the youngest populations in the UK, and as such, we are in discussion with a number of interested parties looking to bring new experiences and events following the success of our 2023 pop ups and activations.”