Thames & Kennet Marina Local Info
Hospital
Royal Berkshire Hospital – 0118 9875111 – London Road, Reading
Chemists
Lloyds Pharmacy – 0118 9479443, Caversham Park Village
Markand Pharmacy – 0118 9472464 – 122 Henley Road, Reading
Banks
Barclays Bank Plc – 0845 7555555, 2 & 4 Church Street, Caversham
Natwest Plc – 0845 6013399, 7 Bridge Street, Caversham
Lloyds Bank Plc – 0845 0723333, 15 Bridge Street, Caversham
Restaurants
Crown Inn – 0118 9472872, Playhatch (off Henley Road)
Picasso Restaurant and Tabas Bar – 0118 9484141, 6 Bridge Street, Caversham
The Italian Job – 0 118 946 3400, 5 Prospect Street, Caversham
Raj Tandoori – 0118 9462374, 11 Cavendish Road, Emmer Green, Caversham
Chi Oriental Brasserie – 0118 9393111, 93 Caversham Road
Shoulder of Mutton – 0118 9473908, Playhatch (off Henley Road)
Supermarkets
Waitroses – 0118 482 912, 19 St Martins Precinct, Caversham
Tesco’s – 0118 9807400, Napier Road Reading (River Bank Moorings to Shop)
Post Office
Emmer Green – 0118 9785883, 1 Kidmores End Road, Caversham
Building Societies
Nationwide – 0118 980 1400, 14 Church Street, Caversham
Britannia – 0118 957 2401, 32 Market Place, Reading
Chelsea – 0118 958 3368, 24 Friar Street, Reading
Pubs / Bars
Shoulder of Mutton – 0118 9473908, Playhatch (off Henley Road)
Crown Inn – 0118 9472872, Playhatch (off Henley Road)
The Travellers Rest – 0118 9479441, 180 Henley Road, Reading
Cinema
Vue – 0871 2240240, The Riverside, Oracie Shopping Centre, Reading
Taxi Firms
0118 9484848
0118 9413434
0118 9500500
0118 9503503
Vets
Oakley Veterinary Clinic – 0118 9479298, 65 Oakley Road, Caversham
Doctors
Emmer Green Surgery – 0118 9486900, 4 St Barnabus Road, Emmer Green
Schools
Hicklands Primary – 01189015500, Hicklands Road, Caversham
Chiltern Edge Secondary – Reades Lane, Sonning Common
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MAJOR LOCAL EVENTS & WHAT TO EXPECT
The Oracle provides a wide variety of activities for all ages and tastes. These activities can effect trade in several ways. The calendar below illustrates the month in which the events are held and the effects it may have on The Centre as a whole, based on past experiences and records.
January
February
March – Reading Half Marathon
* Traffic issues for entering and exiting The Centre due to road closures for the competitors.
April
May – Reading Children Festival (Family and children orientated events throughout the town for two weeks)
* Increased footfall in Centre and town
June
July – WOMAD Festival
* Traffic issues within the town
* Will bring customers into the Centre from different areas of the country – expect footfall to increase compared to the week prior to the event.
* Possible increase in criminal activity
August – Reading Music Festival
* Traffic issues in and outside of the town
* Increased footfall
* Increase in the use of the facilities
* Possible increase in crime
September
October
November – Christmas Light Switch On
* Increase in late night shoppers
December – Christmas Parade
* Various areas within the town are closed due the parade route.
N.B. The above calendar of events is to be used as a guide. Specific dates will be made available to you at your request.
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Tourist Information
The Oracle covers an area of approximately 700,000-sqft (65000m2), which includes both the retail and leisure aspects of the scheme, based over 3 levels. This equates to 22 acres, the equivalent of 9 football pitches.
Reading is one of the UK’s top ten retail Centres and it is the only venue outside of Oxford Street to have the four main department stores in such close proximity; Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Marks & Spencers.
Reading is the largest town in the South East and is ranked one of the most desirable locations to live because of its quality of life.
Reading Museum
The Museum of Reading has twelve exciting galleries which house collections of national and regional significance, and artifacts associated with the history and industry of the people of reading. Reading Museum can be found within The Town Hall Tel: 0118 939 9800.
The Forbury Gardens Abbey Ruins
The architecture of the Reading Abbey Ruins can be found between the park and the river Kennet, offering a fascinating glimpse of the scale of an abbey that covered the whole of the town Centre, until the time of the reformation.
Tourism Information
The Reading Visitor Centre and Travel Shop is located at Church House, on Chain Street, where you can find information on places to visit, bus routes and local services to other national attractions. Tel: 0118 956 6226.
Heritage Trail
Reading offers a Heritage Walk were you can discover the many hidden delights of Reading. Details are available from the Reading Visitor Centre and Travel Shop.
On The Water Front
Reading was founded between two major waterways, The Thames and the Kennet. Boating and water based activities including rowing and canoeing are still central to life here in Reading.
Madejski Football Stadium
The home of Reading Football Club and London Irish Ruby Club that seat approximately 24,500 fans. Many local business enjoy corporate membership including the use of box facilities, bar and restaurant.
Reading Town Hall
The Town Hall, Balgrove Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QH Tel: 0118 939 9809
Reading Borough Council
Responsible for local services and the maintenance and developments of the Reading Community. Civic Centre, Reading RG1 7TD Tel: 0118 939 0900
Reading Libraries
There are 7 libraries located across Reading including Reading central Library situated at Abbey Square only a 5 minute walk from The Oracle. Reading Central Library Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ Tel: 0118 901 5950
Reading University
Founded in the nineteenth century and gaining a Royal Charter in 1926. The University of Reading is one of the foremost research-led universities in the UK. The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 217, Reading RG6 6AH Tel: 0118 987 5123
www.rdg.ac.uk
Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN Switchboard Tel: 0118 9875111
Reading Police
Reading Police Station/Thames Valley Police, Castel Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7TH Tel: 0118 953 6000. In an emergency dial 999 – an emergency is if a crime is being committed. Or is about to be committed or if there is a risk of serious injury for anything else you can telephone 0845 850 5505.
www.thamesvalley.police.uk
Crime stoppers Tel: 0800 555 111