Rumours and movers: Primark, Pinewood and Fuze

Primark Primark won permission to turn its Reading store into offices on Wednesday (April 6) amid reservations about its agreement to provide two retail units within the site. The retailer is preparing to move to Broad Street but with its UK head office above its current West Street site, the company wants to expand that space into the shop space it vacates when it moves. Council officers persuaded Primark to incorporate two retail units into the redevelopment to maintain the nature of the

Thames Valley Property Forum takes the region's temperature

It’s dynamic, it’s successful, it’s bustling. But is it cool? This year’s Thames Valley Property Forum will be taking the area’s temperature to ask the burning question which raised eyebrows at last year’s event. Kate Dean managing director of Dean Consulting, who has held a number of high profile roles in the region, questioned whether the Thames Valley was cool enough for the young, creative minds it seeks to attract. But with a report by Rightmove suggesting 40 per cent of young Londoners

Meet the buyer at Slough Urban Renewal

Construction firms are invited to attend a Meet the Buyer event to try to become part of Slough Urban Renewal (SUR). With a long list of multi-million pound schemes transforming the town, SUR, a joint venture between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments, has arranged the event to allow firms to get involved and explore tender opportunities. SUR is already behind developments such as: Milestone - 49 houses and 24 apartments at Ledgers Road The Curve - The remarkable new

Green Park masterplan 'must include infrastructure contribution'

A new masterplan for Green Park was approved by councillors on Tuesday (April 5) but owner Oxford Properties was told it must contribute to infrastructure improvements. A ‘very beautiful’ six to eight storey landmark building at the park’s entrance is envisaged in the new masterplan along with more intense office development especially near the M4, and a third amenity hub including a 1250 – 200 bedroom hotel. All will be subject to planning applications with none likely to emerge until existing

Emily Templeton joins Lambert Smith Hampton

Emily Templeton has joined Lambert Smith Hampton as a graduate surveyor in the Thames Valley valuation department. Emily has come from LSH’s Manchester office, where she developed a broad experience in the lease advisory, valuation and capital markets departments. In her new role she will be assisting the team with its increasing amount of loan security work and development appraisals for banks. She said: “LSH was always the company that I wanted to join during my time at Sheffield Hallam

House price data 'shows regen has put Slough ahead'

Massive house price increases in Slough are down to regeneration as well as Crossrail, according to council leader Rob Anderson. Statistics released by the Land Registry at the end of March showed prices in Slough had risen 19 per cent year-on-year, the highest increase in the country. A BBC story highlighted the effect of Crossrail on the town but Cllr Anderson says the various multi-million pound schemes are also responsible for driving its growth. He said: “We always knew that Crossrail was

First Tuesday Club members updated on Winnersh Triangle

Members of our First Tuesday Club heard first hand about life at Winnersh Triangle when they gathered for this month's lunch event. Will Lawrie, from Patrizia who is business park manager for the 86-acre scheme near the A329M, outlined the recent history and the and future plans. The park is managed by Patrizia, on behalf of Oaktree Capital. The newest offices, Building 1030, a speculatively built 60,483 sq ft office building, due to launch in June and the performance area is now complete. One

Albion Land unveils £50m industrial development

Bicester’s first large industrial and warehouse scheme for over 15 years has been unveiled by developer Albion Land. The £50 million development, called Link 9, is on the A4421 perimeter road on the north east side of the town and is Bicester’s first to achieve planning consent for large distribution and manufacturing buildings in addition to offices and R&D.; The 36-acre site will house 520,000 sq ft of buildings in an area of strong demand. Planning for the project was approved by Cherwell

New Masterplan proposed for Green Park

A new hotel and further office, retail and leisure uses are planned for Green Park under a revised Masterplan going before councillors tomorrow (Tuesday). Reading Borough Council's strategic, environment and planning committee will decide tomorrow whether to approve the new Masterplan by owners Oxford Properties, the first revision since the original Masterplan by Foster and Partners in 1999. The main changes in the new plan are: 1) Two new plots – the Gateway site and the new Hotel site; 2)

Rumours and movers: Subsea Components, Reading station and new hotel for Slough

Subsea Components Subsea Components has moved into Winnersh Triangle from its previous home at Maidenhead. The oil and gas industry specialist has taken 50,000 sq ft of combined office and warehouse at 310 Wharfedale Road. Will Lawrie, commercial director for park manager Patrizia said: “Subsea Components is the latest international name based at Winnersh Triangle. Our compelling offer of a great location and ease of access, with high quality accommodation and on-site facilities, make Winnersh