Interesting Facts

• The Oracle was developed by Hammerson plc.
• The Oracle is spread over 22 acres including The Riverside area and the Riverside Car Park.
• More than £250 million was invested in the development.
• There are 778,000 sq.ft. (72,000 sq.m.) of shopping and leisure over 3 levels.
• The main entrances are Minster Street, Holy Brook, The Riverside and Broad Street.
• A wide variety of public art was designed to enhance the overall appearance of the scheme.
• 34 residential flats are also included as part of the scheme.
• Parking is available in two cars parks for 2,300 vehicles, including disabled parking, 20 motorcycle spaces, cycle bays and shoppers lockers.
• Extensive highway and traffic signal improvements in the surrounding areas were carried out prior to opening.
• The opening of the centre created 3,500 new jobs in Reading.
• Project programme:
• Site clearance began during March 1997
• Main construction began during September 1997
• Phase I which was the opening of the shopping malls, was completed September 1999
• Phase II which was the launch of The Riverside was completed November 1999
• Phase III which was the opening of the Broad Street entrance was completed May 2000
• The main contractors involved in the project were Bovis Construction/Norwest Holst/Sir Robert McAlpine