Shopping

Reading is one of the UK’s top retail destinations, with two major shopping centres (The Oracle and Broad Street Mall) and is one of the few places where you’ll find the UK’s top four retailers in one place. Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer are all within walking distance of one another.

The Oracle is home to more than 90 retail stores and over 30 places to eat and drink, as well as a 10 screen Vue Cinema on the Riverside.
The Oracle stays open from 9.30am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sundays, so it’s the main destination point for all your late night shopping needs.

Broad Street Mall offers great high street names for all the family, and many of its stores are open later on Thursdays.
 
Shopping in Reading ranges from John Lewis - one of the country's largest department stores based on Broad Street - to the many boutique style stores situated in the side streets and arcades. St Mary's Butts, The Walk and Harris Arcade offer a mix of small specialist shops, while West Street is home to the biggest name in discount shopping - Primark, which is open 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 11am-5pm on Sundays.
 
Reading offers lots of opportunities to shop in comfort in the relative quiet of the early evening – it’s the ideal time to browse, look for a bargain or meet up with friends for some serious retail therapy.  You might prefer to relax with a glass of wine after work, or have a cup of coffee with some friends or bring the whole family in for a mid-week treat.  Either way you can come in and shop from 4pm, take advantage of the late night shopping on a Thursday in stores like Marks and Spencer (open until 8pm, and 7pm on other week days) and John Lewis (closes 8pm, and 6pm on other nights).

Don’t forget if you arrive after 6pm you can park for just £3 in any of Reading's car parks (excludes Reading Station) and spends as many hours as you like shopping, dining or being entertained.