New Asian shop Miniso opens in Reading town centre

A new Asian home and variety store has opened in Reading, and more homes could be on the way in the town.

Miniso is a home and lifestyle shop which recently opened next to Marks & Spencer in Broad Street.

Elsewhere, a landlord has applied to convert a house into a home of multiple occupation (HMO) in East Reading, and a developer wants to replace a warehouse with three homes.

You can view each plan by typing in their references in brackets into Reading Borough Council’s planning portal.

Asian home store comes to Broad Street (221747)

Reading Chronicle: he new Miniso Asian homeware and lifestyle shop at 11 Broad Street, Reading. Credit: Grant Williams, Local Democracy Reporting Servicehe new Miniso Asian homeware and lifestyle shop at 11 Broad Street, Reading. Credit: Grant Williams, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Miniso home and lifestyle store opened at the tail end of November ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period, and is already welcoming guests.

It has taken over 11 Broad Street, which was previously occupied by Monsoon and Fone Fix.

Miniso’s website shows a range of goods on offer, from electronics and bags to beauty products and stationery.

The company has applied for advertising consent for its illuminated sign, of a red bag with white lettering and a smiling face.

Replacement of workshop with three homes (221038)

Reading Chronicle: The Silvers Workshop, Hilcot Road, Reading. Credit: Google Maps The Silvers Workshop, Hilcot Road, Reading. Credit: Google Maps

Westmore Enterprises Ltd has applied to knock down the Silvers Workshop in Hilcot Road and replace it with a two storey roofed building.

The new building would contain two one-bedroom flats and a one-bedroom maisonette.

It would front onto Hilcot Road and contain space for two off road parking spaces.

Reading Chronicle: Proposed elevations for the three home building at 37 Hilcot Road, Reading. Credit: A & N ArchitectsProposed elevations for the three home building at 37 Hilcot Road, Reading. Credit: A & N Architects

One of the new homes would stretch across both floors, with its living room, kitchen and toilet on the ground floor and its double bed and bathroom on the first floor.

Each would come with a kitchen, living room, double bed and bathroom.

Conversion of East Reading home into HMO (221741)

Reading Chronicle: Erleigh Road in East Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service Erleigh Road in East Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Ghalib Hussain, the owner of 9 Erleigh Road, has applied to convert it from a family home into a six bed HMO.

The house is semi-detached and has a view of Reading College.

Internal modifications would create one bedroom on the ground floor, three on the first floor and two on the second floor.

Reading Chronicle: Proposal to convert 9 Erleigh Road in Reading into a six bed HMO. Credit: M D Howlett Architectural ConsultantProposal to convert 9 Erleigh Road in Reading into a six bed HMO. Credit: M D Howlett Architectural Consultant

Future occupants would share two shower toilets on the first floor, and a kitchen dining room, lounge and toilet on the first floor.

Four parking spaces would be provided.

Conversion of Whitley office into home (221788)

Reading Chronicle: The meeting room in Rowdell Drive, Whitley, which could be converted into a home. Credit: Google MapsThe meeting room in Rowdell Drive, Whitley, which could be converted into a home. Credit: Google Maps

A company called Co-op Homes has applied to convert its small meeting rooms building in Rowdell Drive, Whitley into a home.

The building is one storey tall and currently has two office rooms and a toilet.

Planned changes would create a double bedroom, an open plan kitchen and living area, with the existing toilet being expanded and a bath added to it.

Reading Chronicle | Town Centre