There’s an element of back to the future for the new film studios at Winnersh Triangle.
About 20 years (and a number of ownerships) ago, the 90-acre park announced a masterplan to transform it from a largely industrial scheme to a largely office one.
Modern offices, a new footbridge to the station and a hotel sprung up and development has been ongoing. More recently, amenities have become more important and a new Astroturf pitch and yoga studio now sit opposite a new type of health and fitness club called Move HQ.
And now film and TV will feature in what are essentially industrial buildings – although the glamour of the industry will easily overcome the lack of glitz such structures are normally noted for.
Few could have envisaged, even a few years ago, that Haslams Chartered Surveyors’ noted expertise in industrial development would be employed here among the shiny offices.
But it illustrates how fast things change. It seems hard to believe that not long ago there was a branch of Lloyds Bank at Winnersh Triangle.
But what is also surprising is that Thames Valley Park (TVP) struggles on with its mix of ownerships when it could have been a good location for something like film studios.
It too, links to the A329M, has quite a bit of empty space and even a riverside setting. But apart from the river, amenities are few.
One aborted development – the East Reading mass rapid transit scheme which Wokingham Borough Council ditched a few years ago – would have connected it to Reading Station.
So, whether it’s the amenities or the improved transport, Winnersh Triangle seems able to move with the times much better than TVP.
Going back to the future looks like a step in the right direction.
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