There is a discussion about accessibility at the town's train stations, including Green Park. Andrew wants to plan the town centre visit "before it gets cold". The next meeting will be on 21st November. He wants to invite the police, Unseen Aware. The town centre visit is to find out issues.

Cllr Will Cross (LAB) says the group should be promoted at the Festival of Inclusivity, and gauge how many people are aware of the group to encourage participation. You can join by emailing Helen Bryant, the council's access officer: helen.bryant@reading.gov.uk

Feedback should be given by the end of October. That will then be sent to the council's web team. Andrew: "We've had a dearth of people today, which is concerning." He asks the group to do a brainstorming session - "let's bring the police here" and chase up Unseen Aware.

Helen shows the group the services for disabled people webpage, which can be reached by scrolling down on the main website. "Alot of the chsnges have been done" there'll be an opportunity to feedback, which will last for around a month. www.reading.gov.uk/services-for...

Andrew: "It's going to be wonderful" - prizes will be given out 4.30pm-5pm - "We've organised a gazebo, we are going to be dry. We can move some sports inside if needed." There'll also be a massive velcro dartboard - Helen Bryant "it's quite fun, you'll keep fit doing that."

Next item: The Festival of Inclusivity - this Saturday 2-5pm - Cllr Hornsby-Smith: "It is going to be a fantastic event. It's basically outside. The afternoon is going to be split up, the mayor will hand out prizes for winners" footy, cricket, and rugby, archery, bowls and cycling.

Rose: "we'll have dropped kerbs, and clear demarkation between drop-off and pedestrian areas." The ground floor will facilitate deliveries, and be used for plant and storage. "We're replacing the backhouse toilet facilities" which will be turned into an accessible toilet and shower.

Rose Burgoyne presents, saying the scheme had to be scaled down, plans that were approved in Jan. The back of house has been demolished to clear the way for development. The studio theatre will be to the rear. There'll also be planting and outdoor seating at the entrance.

Cllr Hornsby-Smith asks when the strategy will be out for consultation - it's not known yet. "It gives us a flavour of the themes the council is taking forward. There are things that are very important in this strategy." Next item: update on Hexagon Theatre studio by architects, Haworth Tompkins.

Alex: "We want to foster Reading's identity as a walkable, welcoming centre. The final theme is about making an inclusive economy." That includes Reimagining Workspaces, hybrid-ready offices and 'white box units'. There'll be civic anchors, such as the library, Reading Gaol and Blue Collar.

Alex: "We want the town centre for people to spend time in, not to just pass by. St Mary's Butts will be decluttered and greened." Station Rd, they want to reduce bus congestion, introduce lighting and make pedestrian crossing. Broad St would also be "decluttered" and made accessible.

The town centre is "a place to experience" and they want a "cultural spine from The Hexagon to the Abbey Quarter." For leisure and retail: "We're thinking about changing the offer here, encouraging late night uses, and protecting indy retailers eg Harris Arcade and Smelly Alley."

Alex: "There's a big shift away from car-focused design to people-focused design. He describes the IDR as a "green, multi-modal boulevard. All new developments should meet the highest environmental standards. Shaded squares will reduce heat stress." There's an aim for GP capacity.

Councillor Karen Rowland (Labour) asks what community hubs will actually look like. "I'm intensly curious about that." Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (LAB) adds playgrounds should be accessible to those with disabilities. "I'd envisage it would be a similar set up." The town centre needs to be easy to go

It's stated there are 8 focus areas. Examples include The Oracle East, Huntley Wharf and Broad St Mall. Alex mentions that Reading is one of the most diverse towns in the South East. They want child and age-friendly design, rest areas, step-free access and intergenerational initiatives.

They want to account for demographic changes, such as the boost in young adults 20-34, and older adults 60+. There is a focus on smaller and flexible housing, and making sure services are in walking distance. Bob Bristow says Friars Walk is very difficult for the visually impaired.

He says it's focused on those who live and work in the town centre and their experience. Cross cutting themes include making Reading more equal, and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of people. The number of homes 6,676 in 2023 to 15,415 in 2041, a 131% rise - from 10% to 18%.

Alex Wylde presents on the town centre strategy, building on the original from 2019, with engagement continuing. This is separate from the town centre public realm strategy. "It's a placeshaping strategy for the town centre, it's focused on the next 20 yrs." There'll be a practical delivery plan.

I'm at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's access and disabilities working group. Items on the agenda include an update on the design for Hexagon Studio Theatre, the council's town centre strategy, the Festival of Inclusivity this Saturday, and the council's webpages on disability.

I'm at a meeting of the licensing applications sub-committee where hours for the Mosaic's Peri Peri in East Reading are set to be reverted back to 1am Monday to Saturday and midnight on Sundays. They had applied to stay open until 3am, but withdrew the app before a court hearing.

Neighbourhood pub closed for years set to be brought back into use A neighbourhood pub in Reading that has been closed for years will be brought back into use as a cafe bar with tabletop games and music.

Paul: "Good luck, it's always good to see a pub brought back to life!" Nancy and Marvin's Sip and Spin is due to open next weekend following the decision today. View the full story here www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/2535523...

Bill mentions a "continental, cafe-style operation" which has been encouraged. The chamber has been cleared while the committee make their decision. Earlier, Paul quipped: "For our purposes, we don't mind what you serve, as long as it's palatable!" The licence has been GRANTED.

There is a clash over a cafe and bar - Bill: "It is a public house. More recently, we've had the Cosy Club, it's not a club, it's a restaurant. Most pubs do operate as a cafe as well. Actually, it is a pub, but it will be serving coffees, sandwiches and cakes." Paul: "Blurring can be good."

Paul: "There must be some method for controlling music, is that still there?" Bill: "It's a well-built old building" and there will be a management plan laid out by conditions. Anthony pubs and cafes are quite distinct. He calls in planning terms, it's a "grey area" acknowledging that it can change

Audio monitoring will take place for DJs and drums, which can cause vibration. Conditions have been agreed with the environmental health officer to clamp down on noise nuisance. Bill mentions that the Eldon Arms was there for 40 years. Cllr Paul Woodward: "I remember it in its glory days."

Cllr Glenn Dennis asks about the outdoor area, which Bill explains is small. Music will be kept indoors - as an unlicensed activity. Cllr Amjad Tarar asks about noise and vibration. Bill says there will not be a breakout of noise, in agreement with the council's environmental health team.

Planning officer Anthony Scoles asks about the mention of a cafe bistro in the application. Bill: "It's essentially a pub, but with that, a food offering. This is a low key operation with coffee and sandwiches. It isn't a town centre site, it's a lower key operation."

Bill: "The application is working to less hours than it used to be, if the police objected, they would be here. It's a very small premises, residents say about parking, but that isn't an issue for today." The application has been amended to remove live and recorded music as a licenseable activity.

Bill: "What we're missing from residents is evidence." He argues that the objections relating to crime and disorder could not be tracked to the Eldon Arms. "They might have music once a week or once a month. The busy nights are Fridays and Saturdays." Alcohol sales only to 11.30pm, close at 12am.

Bill: "For us, if people can buy a drink at a bar, you firmly sit as a pub, as it has stood for the last 50-60 years. Because all representations were sent by email, it's harder to track down where they live." Mr Miles objected due to noise. Bill: "We understand that." No objections from authorities