Shire Hall, Reading
The Shire Hall is a former municipal building at Shinfield Park just south of Reading, Berkshire.
Shire Hall, Reading | |
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Shire Hall | |
Shire Hall Location within Berkshire | |
General information | |
Architectural style | Brutalist style |
Address | Shinfield Park, Reading |
Country | United Kingdom |
Coordinates | 51.4149°N 0.95563°W |
Completed | 1981 |
History
Berkshire County Council originally established its meeting place in the assize courts in Reading[1] and accommodated the administrative staff and committee rooms of the County Council were in the old Shire Hall next door.[1] However following the Local Government Act 1972, which increased the geographical responsibilities of the County Council, the Council felt the need to move to larger premises.[1]
The new Shire Hall, which was designed in the Brutalist style to accommodate both the meeting place and the offices of the County Council, was completed in 1981.[2] The estimated cost of the move was £27.5 million.[3] However following a review by the Local Government Commission the Government decided to transfer the responsibilities of the County Council to unitary authorities and the building became surplus to requirements.[4] It became the local offices of Foster Wheeler in March 2000[2] and then, in October 2017, of Wood Group.[5]
References
- "From old Shire Hall to sheer class". Reading Post. 2 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "The Story of the BRO". Berkshire Record Office. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- "Ch. 52 specifically sections 2420 and 2488". A History of the first Berkshire County Council 1889-1974.
- "Local Government Act 1992. 1992 c. 19. part II". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- "Amec Foster Wheeler takeover could mean job losses". Get Reading. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2019.