Hello and thank you for your continued support in our efforts to save Brock Keep as a vital cultural space for Reading.
Your emails, signatures, social media shares, and direct engagement with Reading councillors and MPs have been incredible - your support is making a real difference.
At this stage, we still do not know when the council will formally discuss Brock Keep’s future or decide which bid to accept. This decision is expected to take place in the Policy Committee, which includes all 13 lead councillors. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for February 17th at 6:30 PM, but we will not know whether Brock Keep is on the agenda until the previous week. If you are interested in following the discussion, you can find meeting details >>> here.
Last Tuesday, we our formally presented the online petition to the full council. In response, Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture, provided the following statement:
"The Keep on Oxford Road is a Grade II Listed Building that requires long-term investment. At this time, the Council is not able to commit to the necessary funding.
The property is occupied by Open Hand Open Space (OHOS) and Reading Space on a heavily subsidised basis. Over the years, the Council has supported various OHOS funding applications, including a recent Heritage Lottery Fund bid, but these have not been successful.
As a result, the Council has invited bids for the sale of the freehold from both private and voluntary sector buyers, with the possibility of the current occupiers remaining in situ. Whether they can stay long-term will ultimately be up to the new owner. Meanwhile, the Council is committed to helping the occupiers explore alternative spaces within Reading.
The Council recognises the value OHOS brings to Reading and will continue to support it as an important part of the town’s cultural sector."
While the Council acknowledges OHOS’s cultural contribution, their commitment remains vague, and the sale of Brock Keep remains a serious threat to its future as a publicly accessible arts space.
Why the Petition Still Matters
The petition is gaining momentum! If we reach 1,500 signatures from Reading residents, we can trigger a formal debate at the next Full Council meeting. This would put further pressure on the Council to engage with us transparently and consider viable alternatives to selling Brock Keep. Please continue to share the petition with your Reading-based networks.
Media Coverage
The campaign has gained local media attention, with an article published in The Reading Chronicle. You can read and share it >>>: here
Thank you again for standing with us to protect Brock Keep and its role in Reading’s cultural landscape. We will keep you updated as soon as we learn more.