Reading has continued to expand into the 21st Century. The town is the largest town that does not have City Status, with a population of 250,000 including the suburbs. A poll in 2002 found that Reading was the eighth best town centre in the country.
1999 saw the opening of the much heralded Oracle shopping centre. In 2007 the Oracle centre was placed 16th in a league table of best performing retail centres in the UK compiled by Experian. In another poll by Verdict, Reading was placed 10th in the table of UK top shopping destinations, showing the town is now a retail magnet for the south.
Then there was the more recent introduction of “The Blade”, a modern office block standing at 420 feet tall and dominating the Reading skyline. This modern architecture is a sign of that Reading is prospering, even in this difficult economic climate.
There has been ample investment in the growth and improvement of Reading. Major construction projects such as the £800 million redevelopment of Reading Train Station, the construction of “The Reading City Gateway”, and the possible development of a new stadium to house speedway and greyhound racing.
The town has a professional football team, Reading Football Club (The Royals) and a professional Rugby Team London Irish who play in the modern Madjeski Stadium.
The town also stages one of the largest music festivals in the Country, The Reading Festival. This festival draws international crowds along with international music talent during August each year.