Reading has one of the best shopping centres in the South  of England. Reading is recognised as one of the top ten retail destinations in  the UK, thanks to The Oracle Shopping and Leisure Complex in the town centre.

Improvements to the  rest of the town centre will continue with the introduction of more  pedestrianisation and landscaping to encompass the whole of Broad Street - the  town's main shopping area. A new traffic system has also been introduced to keep ALL cars and buses out of the main shopping streets at peak times. Town centre car parks are all easily accessed from the new road system.

Because vehicles are not allowed into the town centre during pedestrian hours, shopping in Reading is  far more relaxed and pleasant. And shopping trips are doubly enjoyable thanks to  the quality street entertainment that is now a regular feature of town -centre life - from string quartets to puppet shows, there's something going on almost every day.

Shopping in Reading  ranges from one of the country's largest department stores - Heelas (now  re-named John Lewis) - to the colourful bustle of our street market (held  Wed-Sat on Hosier St/St Mary's Butts). Most of the major chains have branches in  our main shopping streets - including Marks and Spencer, Woolworths and many other high street stores. Other top names include Gap, Monsoon, Country Casuals, Jaeger,  Benetton, TK Maxx, Lawleys, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Disney Store  and Virgin, to name but a few.

You can also explore various shopping arcades, including the spacious Broad St Mall with its large choice of stores; the newly refurbished Friar's Walk; the more select King's Walk and Harris Arcade (an Edwardian arcade full of small specialist businesses).

PEDESTRIAN HOURS The whole of the town centre is subject to pedestrian hours, between 11am-4pm,  every day. During these hours private vehicles are not permitted on Friar St,  Station Rd, Queen Victoria St, Cross St, West St, Minster St, Gun St, east end  of Oxford Rd, and most of St Mary's Butts. Vehicles are excluded from Broad St.  and Town Hall Square at all times, except for loading.

FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED There is parking for Disabled  Badge holders throughout the town  centre, including areas within the pedestrian zone (which orange badge holders  may enter at all times). This includes parking on Friar St., Oxford Rd., West St, and St Mary's Butts.  For information on parking: (0118) 939  0483.

Major department stores are well-equipped with lifts. Some have  automatic doors for ease of entry. Toilet and information facilities for the  disabled are available in the Civic Centre, John Lewis, Debenhams, Broad St  Mall, and Burger King amongst other places.

READIBUS SHOPMOBILITY -  Readibus Shopmobility can provide you with the loan of an electric scooter, or a manual wheelchair, to do your shopping or use other facilities in Reading town centre, and if needed the hire of a trained escort. Tel: 0118 931 1414 for more details.

THE ORACLE SHOPMOBILITY - can provide the loan of an electric scooter, or a manual wheelchair, to do your shopping or use other  facilities in Reading town centre, and if needed a shopping assistantt. Tel:  0118 965 9002 for bookings.