What old Sports Direct Reading will be replaced with

Sports Direct occupied a prominent position at 90-93 Broad Street in the town centre for years.

The budget sports, football and fashion retailer closed shop at the three-storey store so it could relocate to the other side of Broad Street last July.

Now the store is set to be taken over by Slater Menswear, a men’s suits retailer for special events such as weddings and race days. 

George Ferguson, a director at Slater Menswear, said he hopes the new store will be ready to open in May.

A schedule of works posted on the door stated that conversion works involve ripping out existing shop fittings, and installing new stud walls, a kitchen, toilets, shop fixtures and signage to reflect the change.

Reading Chronicle: The schedule of work to convert the old Sports Direct store in Broad Street, Reading into the home of Slater Menswear. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe schedule of work to convert the old Sports Direct store in Broad Street, Reading into the home of Slater Menswear. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Slater Menswear currently occupies a unit in Broad Street Mall.

Mr Ferguson confirmed that the store will be relocated.

The future of some stores in the mall is in doubt as its owners AEW has a plan to part demolish the rear of the building so that tall apartment towers can be built.

Sports Direct itself relocated to the former Clas Ohlson unit on July 21, 2023.

Clas Ohlson closed its only store in the UK in Reading in August 2022.

Reading Chronicle | Town Centre