EDITOR'S NOTE
England face Senegal in the World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday afternoon — 5pm BST, and the town will be buzzing from early. The Hexagon has a packed week from Tuesday through Sunday. And Reading Biscuit Factory has announced it's reopening from next Thursday, after months of licensing closure.
FEATURED THIS WEEK
England vs Senegal — World Cup Round of 32, Wednesday 1 July, 5pm BST
Kickoff in Atlanta. England need a win to reach the last 16. Pubs and the town centre will be very busy from early afternoon — plan ahead if you’re eating out or travelling. A win means England face the Group A winner on Monday 6 July (1am BST).
BEST FOR KIDS
BPDC "The Eras" Show — The Hexagon, Sunday 5 July, 5pm. A community dance spectacular inspired by Taylor Swift's eras, on Reading's main stage. Full production, ticketed. Great for primary-age and up.
NEW THIS WEEK
Reading Biscuit Factory confirmed its reopening date this week: Thursday 9 July. The indie cinema and arts venue had its licence suspended; it's now been renewed. Members get a 39-day extension.
HEADS UP
England vs Senegal kicks off at 5pm BST on Wednesday 1 July. Town centre pubs and the Oracle area will be very busy from mid-afternoon. Plan ahead if you're eating out or commuting.
👨👩👧 Things To Do
Kids & Family
BPDC "The Eras" Show — Sunday 5 July, 5pm, The Hexagon. A community dance company's Taylor Swift showcase on Reading's main stage — full production values, ticketed. Good for primary-age children and up. Book at whatsonreading.com →
Adults · Date Night
NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (15) — Tuesday 30 June, The Hexagon. The National Theatre's acclaimed production of the classic French tale of scheming aristocrats and social betrayal, broadcast live from London. Book at whatsonreading.com →
Sheer Madness, The Mill at Sonning — ongoing (opened Thu 25 June). The long-running whodunit comedy returns to the intimate dinner-theatre on the Thames island at Sonning, where the audience votes on the ending each night. A proper evening out — river setting, dinner included.
Berkshire Music Trust: You're The Voice — Thursday 2 July, 7:30pm, The Hexagon. Senior Music Festival showcase: students from across Berkshire performing on Reading's main stage. Book at whatsonreading.com →
Weekend Events
Sat 4 July: Urban Stylez presents: Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' at The Hexagon — pop and MJ dance spectacular. Book at whatsonreading.com →
Sun 5 July: BPDC "The Eras" Show at The Hexagon, 5pm — see above.
Looking ahead: BalletBoyz at The Hexagon, Tuesday 7 July; Reading Biscuit Factory reopens Thursday 9 July.
🏙️ What's New in Reading
Reading Biscuit Factory reopens Thursday 9 July. The indie cinema and arts venue on Kings Road had its premises licence suspended earlier this year. The licence has now been renewed following a review of the venue's policies and procedures. Members will receive a 39-day extension for the closure period. Events and film screenings resume from 9 July.
Reading FC stadium upgrades planned. Owner Rob Couhig has announced plans for significant upgrades to the Select Car Leasing Stadium as the club targets a return to the Championship. Works are in the planning stages; no confirmed timeline yet.
🚧 Useful Reading Updates
Rail — GWR engineering works ongoing. Works between Tilehurst and Didcot Parkway continue this week (started Mon 29 June). Some late-evening services replaced by buses between Tilehurst and Pangbourne. Check gwr.com before travelling →
Bus cuts — now less than four weeks away. Pink 22 (central Reading to Caversham Heights) and Route 12 (Reading to Twyford) are both cancelled from Monday 20 July. Details at reading-buses.co.uk.
England vs Senegal, Wednesday 1 July, 5pm BST. World Cup Round of 32. Town centre will be busy from early afternoon.
Planning decisions last week: Royal Berkshire Archives (Coley Avenue) — extension to the record office building approved. The Abbey School (Kendrick Road) — external works to Richards Hall including new cladding, windows and ramp approved. Reading International Business Park (south of A33) — lawfulness certificate granted for a car servicing centre, vehicle delivery hub and showroom.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Tue 30 Jun: NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (15), The Hexagon
Wed 1 Jul: England vs Senegal (World Cup Round of 32, 5pm BST)
Thu 2 Jul: Berkshire Music Trust: You're The Voice, Hexagon 7:30pm
Sat 4 Jul: Urban Stylez: Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Hexagon
Sun 5 Jul: BPDC "The Eras" Show, Hexagon, 5pm
Thu 9 Jul: Reading Biscuit Factory reopens (looking ahead)
HIDDEN GEM OF THE WEEK
Britain's Bayeux Tapestry replica, Reading Museum — Almost nobody outside Reading knows the town is home to the only full-scale replica of the Norman Bayeux Tapestry in England. All 70 metres of it, stitched by 35 Victorian women in the 1880s, fills a specially designed gallery at Reading Museum on Blagrave Street. This week marks its 140th anniversary — completed in June 1886. With the British Museum's own Bayeux Tapestry exhibition drawing national attention this summer, there's no better time to see Reading's version. Free Tuesday–Saturday. Guided tours Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons, £10.
WEATHER THIS WEEK
A warm week ahead — temperatures building from around 23°C on Monday to near 28–29°C by the weekend. Largely dry and sunny throughout, with very little rain risk. Good conditions for Wednesday's England vs Senegal kickoff and both weekend shows at The Hexagon. UV levels are high from Thursday onwards — worth bearing in mind if you're spending time outside.
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