Serviced Offices in Reading

Reading is on the Thames and Kennet rivers in southern England. It’s known for the annual Reading Festival, an outdoor rock music event. Shops and riverside restaurants dot the town centre. The Reading Museum contains exhibits on the town’s history and displays a Victorian replica of the Bayeux Tapestry.

Business Activities

Reading is an important commercial centre in Southern England and is often referred to as the commercial capital of the Thames Valley. The town hosts the headquarters of British companies and the UK offices of foreign multinationals, as well as being a major retail centre.  Despite being on the London commuter belt, more people commute from London to Reading than vice versa.

Reading is a powerhouse when it comes to Tech, with some of the world’s largest digital companies have bases there, such as Microsoft, Intel and Oracle.  So, it’s no surprise that Reading continues to score highly on a number of key economic indicators: it has one of the largest digital tech workforces and some of the highest salaries in the country, as well as the highest density of digital tech businesses.

Reading is developing specialisms in Enterprise software and cloud computing, as well as Data management and analytics. Notable tech start-ups include Fairsail, Altitude Angel, Blue Sense Networks, and Fantoo.

The financial company ING Direct had its headquarters in Reading, as does the directories company Yell Group and the natural gas major BG Group. The insurance company Prudential has an administration centre in the town, whilst PepsiCo and Holiday Inn have offices.

These companies are distributed around Reading, including in business parks just inside or outside the borough boundary.

Leisure

One of the largest towns in the UK with an energetic atmosphere to match.

Set around the confluence of the River Thames and the River Kennet, it’s as easy to get away from it all in Reading as it is to find bustling shopping centres and lively bars. Those looking for a little retail therapy should head straight for The Oracle Shopping Centre – one of the best shopping destinations in South East England. You’ll find all the favourite high-street names, as well as independent and craft stores in the nearby streets.

For all its modern amenities, Reading is a place with a fascinating heritage. As well as the town where Oscar Wilde wrote his famous Ballad of Reading Gaol, Reading has a 12th Century ruined Abbey, and even a huge replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. Today it’s also the site of one of the biggest and longest running music festivals in the UK – The Reading Festival.

Home to Reading Football club, who share a stadium with London Irish rugby club, top quality football and rugby is at hand.  A raucous night is always guaranteed at the greyhound racing stadium.

If you fancy a truly pampered experience, Nirvana Spa in Sindlesham, south east of Reading offers day and members clubs. Choose from a flotation pool, hydrotherapy pool, spa garden pool as well as gym, classes and a restaurant.

The Hexagon theatre, Reading’s premier arts venue, provides an all-year round programme of music, comedy, drama and dance.  Or if you want to catch a movie, Reading’s out of town multi-screen cinema complex, Cinema De Luxe, has electric reclining armchairs in all screens.

If you’re in a reflective mood, there is Forbury Gardens, walks along the Thames in Christchurch Meadows and Caversham Court Gardens, or one of Reading’s great parks, which all provide an oasis of calm.