The Oracle, Reading

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Broad Street frontage

The Oracle is a large indoor shopping and leisure mall located on the banks of the River Kennet in central Reading, UK. It takes its name from a 17th century workhouse that once occupied part of the site built by funds from a local man John Kendrick. It was opened on September 23rd 1999.

Internal mall

The centre contains 90 shops, including department stores from the Debenhams and House of Fraser chains. A third and larger department store, John Lewis, is adjacent to the Minster Street entrance but not part of the centre itself. There are also 22 restaurants, cafés and bars along the riverside of the Kennet, and a 10-screen Vue cinema.

Riverside level

Although now well-respected and appreciated by local residents, the Oracle caused local controversy when first opened. The landlords of the Oracle refused flatly to sell any lots to local independent firms, even if they could afford the asking price, citing image devaluation and walk-through trade.^{[citation needed]}

It was also claimed that the local government sold large sections of the available retail space in the town to Wetherspoons and other pub chains, to force retailers into the Oracle and ensure it was filled.^{[citation needed]} No absolute evidence of this was produced.

On the other hand, many of the stores within the Oracle did not previously exist in Reading and have substantially improved its status as a shopping destination. The Oracle also provides two large car parks providing 2300 spaces with access to the town, which was desperately needed by the town centre prior to its opening, however due to Reading's commuter town status car parking fees are high and a full days shopping can have a surprising hidden expense at the end.