Working in Reading
Key Facts
Population
233,000
Employed
81.2%
Avg. House Price
£361,000
Location
Reading is a busy transport and business hub, located just 25 minutes by train from London Paddington. With high employment, a good average salary and some excellent schools, Reading is a popular place to live.
Organisations with a base in Reading include PepsiCo, Oracle UK, Thames Water and HSBC as well as a host of retail chains both within The Oracle Shopping Centre and on the busy high street.
With easy access to the M4, direct train routes and the Rail Air link to Heathrow Airport, these are only some of the features that make Reading one of the most connected cities in the UK.
Travel Times
Reading provides quick access to the M4 for London, the South West and onwards travel across the country. Reading Station is a large railway hub offering direct trains to London Paddington, London Waterloo, the South West and the North. The Rail Air coach service provides a convenient link from Reading Station to Heathrow Airport.
Reading also benefits from a network of coach and bus routes with services to destinations including Bracknell, Henley, High Wycombe and Oxford.
More than just a workplace
Schools in Reading include Reading grammar school for boys and Kendrick School secondary for girls. There are also a number of good primary schools including Churchend Primary Academy.
Reading School – Boys 11-16 yrs. Ofsted Rated Outstanding.
The Kendrick School – Girls 11-18 yrs. Ofsted Rated Outstanding.
Churchend Primary Academy – Co-Ed 3-11 yrs. Ofsted Rated Good.
Maiden Erlegh School – Co-Ed 11-18 yrs. Ofsted Rated Outstanding.
Reading is home to several large business parks including Campus, Reading International (formerly Reading International Business Park), Green Park and Arlington Business Park.
Green Park is one of the largest developments of its type in Europe, covering more than 195 acres. The park houses more than 55 businesses including Thames Water, Bayer and Mitie. The Park is located on the outskirts of Reading Town near Junction 11 of the M4.
Campus, Reading International – Adobe, Verizon, Stonewater Homes, Weber, XMA, Baxter Healthcare.
Green Park – Bayer, NVIDIA, HSBC, Virgin Media, Amazon.
Arlington Business Park – Honda, Laithwaites, Nokia.
Thames Valley Business Park – Oracle, Microsoft, BBC Radio Berkshire, Huawei.
If you have…
5 mins
The Shed Cafe – ideal for a quick sandwich or coffee on the go.
1 Hour
Bills – great for lunch or dinner located in St Mary’s Church House.
Business Lunch
The Reading Room – one of the best restaurants and bars in Reading, hidden inside The Roseate Reading.
The after-work scene is dominated by popular town centre hubs including O’Neill’s, The Signal Box (formerly Pitcher & Piano), and two central Wetherspoon pubs (The Hope Tap and The Back of Beyond). Located just a short stroll from the railway station, The Greyfriar of Reading is an independent option, serving an ever-changing selection of craft beers alongside a popular lunchtime food menu.
For those looking for something a bit more energetic to unwind after a long shift, the town centre boasts plenty of vibrant social entertainment spots. Venues like Spinners or the lively cocktail spots along Gun Street offer great happy hour deals and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for team socials.
Reading is home to a variety of sports centres including Rivermead Leisure Complex, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, and SportsPark at the University of Reading. Facilities include sports pitches, swimming pools, squash and tennis courts, and gyms.
Local attractions include The Caversham Golf Club, Vue Cinema, and the Madejski Stadium (SCL Stadium) for a range of sporting events and more.
Jobs in Reading
PERMANENT
Billing Manager
Reading, Berkshire
£40000 - £42000 per annum + Excellent benefits
Ready to build, improve and lead a growing billing function? Our client, a successful and expanding private healthcare organisation, is seeking a Billing Manager to join and manage a small team. This is a brand new and exciting role for an experienced billing professional who enjoys being hands-on, leading by example and driving process improvement. […]
PERMANENT
Graduate Billing Administrator
Reading, Berkshire
£27000 per annum + Excellent benefits
Our client, a growing private healthcare organisation based in Reading, is looking for a Billing Administrator to join their central finance team. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your billing expertise within a supportive and expanding business, even if you have not previously worked within the healthcare sector. You will play a vital role […]