Reading FC wins backing for £500m Royal Elm Park...

Reading FC wins backing for £500m Royal Elm Park

Reading Football Club’s plans to build a £500 million convention centre and housing complex near to the team’s

Madejski Stadium have been approved by Reading Council.

The Royal Elm Park complex, which was created by the club’s real estate division, RFC Prop Co., will have a “world-

class” convention centre, 630 residences, 2,000 square meters of recreational space, a 246-bed hotel, an ice rink, and

a public plaza and park that span roughly 18,000 square meters.

The 28,000 square meter convention hall, The International, which may accommodate up to 6,000 delegates, will be

the focal point of the 15.5-hectare project.

The International intends to make it possible for Reading to host significant national and international events once it

is finished.

The plans also include a new train station at nearby Green Park, which will allow connections to London, the South-

west and the North.

The 630 homes will be built in and around the stadium and consist of a mix of one, two and three-bed properties.

Reading FC chief executive Nigel Howe said: “This is a huge boost for Reading and will deliver a step-change in the

city’s ability to host international, large-scale conferences and events, which the business community here has long

sought.

However, the plan does more than that. It will greatly improve the match-day experience for our supporters, who are

the club’s main source of support, and it offers a fresh and revitalised destination for businesses and the Reading

community.

“The city’s vision for the future is embodied by Royal Elm Park, which will be crucial in attracting new and improved

inward investment that will support the future of the regional economy.”