Reading residents have expressed that they think the centre of town has changed for the worst.

Chris Matta, Jane Taylor, Kelvin Chaplain, and Keith Maslen of Oak Tree House all agreed that Reading isn’t what it used to be and miss the “good old days.”

“There used to be a market that sold everything you would need along the Butts,” Ms Matta said. “You used to be able to get bedding, clothes, food, everything from there.

“It’s such a shame that they shut it down five or six years ago.”

Ms Matta also said that she thinks there are now too many coffee shops and phone shops in the town centre.

“They’ve absolutely killed it,” she said. “Reading has no personality anymore it’s just so sad.”

Mrs Taylor said that she thinks the town centre is now overrun with bars which subsequently isn’t helping issues with people getting too drunk.

“They complain about people getting drunk,” she said. “But they just go and put more bars in. It’s ridiculous.

“We used to have it all and then it all just went. They just keep building flats and houses that local people can’t afford.

“They also closed the majority of the swimming pools.”

Despite many residents feeling the same way, there are plenty of new businesses coming to Reading that locals will soon be able to enjoy.

Broad Street Mall is set to host a family entertainment centre and arcade that could open up this year.

Entertainment company FunBox is due to open the arcade and physical gaming zone in mall units previously occupied by New Look and a coronavirus vaccination centre.

A 'destination' bowling and entertainment venue at the old Dawsons music shop is set to open this year following delays.

The company Bowl Central revealed plans to open in 2022, receiving consent for internal works and a licence to sell alcohol that year.

Bowl Central CEO Tracy Standish has said that he hopes the venue will open in early summer.

Holywood Bowl and TK Maxx are both set to occupy the former House of Fraser store in The Oracle.

Floorplans found on the Completely Retail website show Holywood Bowl occupying the Riverside level of The Oracle, near well-travelled escalators taking shoppers further into the mall.

Italian restaurant Zia Lucia is set to open in St Mary's Butts at a location previously occupied by the Ask Italian chain.

Property marketer Savills confirmed that Zia Lucia has signed a 15-year contract for the unit, which will be its first restaurant outside London and forms part of its expansion into the rest of the UK.