Report - Friars Walk shopping centre, Reading - 14/03/2009

[Hanx!]

Western Tower on the left; Mecca Bingo on the right; Friars Walk straight ahead.

Visited with Garfunkel.

Friars Walk opened in 1971 and served as a new shopping facility close to the centre of town and the bustling Broard St. After 32 years of use, it was closed in 2003 and has remained pretty well securely sealed since. In the past, access points have cropped up, but have been resealed within a few days due to the quick actions from the on-site security, who patrol every couple of days.

We've had a lot of trouble with Friars Walk in the past. Numerous recces, countless failed attempts, hours spent wandering around the site (and adjoining Friars Walk car park - still in use). We almost gave up on the place, but had one last try today as it was close to another site we were trying (which we had decided wasn't going to be accessed in daylight). Needless to say, it was worth going back. Took a look round the possible access points we'd seen before to see if we'd missed anything... and there it was. The most blatant access possible. When we'd looked around two weeks beforehand, it certainly wasn't open. It would appear a gang of vandals had taken opening up the place into their own hands.

While we were pleased with the access situation, we were wary that if someone had broken in, Friars Walk may not be in the mint condition state we were hoping to find it in. Luckily, we were surprised at how little vandalism had been done internally, with barely any graffiti and all glass shop fronts still very much intact. It's still in pretty much tip top condition, but it won't be for long if the access doesn't get closed up soon...

Having conquered what was our Reading nemesis, we spent a joyful two hours wandering around and photographing every inch possible. We didn't even get round the whole place - the main shopping area isn't huge, but there's a maze of service corridors and maintenance rooms underneath and behind every door. Will definitely be returning soon.


Looking towards the original front entrance.










Awesome clock.


One of the larger shops.


Epic ball pit.








Endless corridor.




Up on the (somewhat flooded) roof.


TPK graffiti which definitely wasn't there two weeks ago.

[Garfunkel]

It was a really fun explore. Anyone wanting to do it should probably get in there quickly, as access may well be closed off soon.

Here are some more photos –

Upper floor


Lift and Stairs


Lower Floor


Playground


Slide!


Tea shop for parents (I assume)




Different levels of sink. Seems fairly reasonable right?


Different levels of doors on the toilets... Sometimes you just have to ask...why? So adults can look in at small children on the toilet? Strange...


Friars Drive


Little model of Reading (can see Western Tower), surprisingly hadn't been destroyed.


Telephon...


Machinery


So they say...

[bluemoth]

Wow! Did you have a go in the ball pit???? If only every explore had one!

[Stalker599]

The leccy is still on!
Would be great to be in there at night, spooky as well!
Ball Pool FTW!

[Hanx!]

Originally Posted by bluemoth

Wow! Did you have a go in the ball pit????

Certainly did! Brilliant fun, so much better than when I last used it about 15 years ago (yup, that's right, I remember using it as a kid). Got plenty of photos of full use being made of the slide!

[Bugsuperstar]

Bet the service section was like a maze. all very george romero! i like it!

[randomnut]

Hey,
Excellent reports. I've wanted to see this place for a while, are you guys planning another trip soon?

[Night Crawler]

Mecca ballroom used to be known as Top rank, that was built back in the early 1960's along with the now disserted bus station and carpark. I remember it all being built when I went to school asn we have to catch the bus home from along there. I seem to remember an old laundery round there before. It was in a Victorian building. Dam Iwish I had presents of mind back then to take up photoraphy more serious.
Good photo's wondered what was like inside now.

[djdigitald]

Excellent report there and some great pics. Are they actually going to do anything with the place?

[SilentMotion]

Originally Posted by djdigitald

Excellent report there and some great pics. Are they actually going to do anything with the place?

Level it:

www.stationhillreading.co.uk