Shire Hall, Reading

The Shire Hall is a former municipal building at Shinfield Park just south of Reading, Berkshire.

Shire Hall, Reading
Shire Hall
Shire Hall
Location within Berkshire
General information
Architectural styleBrutalist style
AddressShinfield Park, Reading
CountryUnited Kingdom
Coordinates51.4149°N 0.95563°W / 51.4149; -0.95563
Completed1981

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
  1. "From old Shire Hall to sheer class". Reading Post. 2 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  2. "The Story of the BRO". Berkshire Record Office. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  3. "Ch. 52 specifically sections 2420 and 2488". A History of the first Berkshire County Council 1889-1974.
  4. "Local Government Act 1992. 1992 c. 19. part II". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  5. "Amec Foster Wheeler takeover could mean job losses". Get Reading. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
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