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Reading's iconic office tower The Blade looks set to welcome its first tenant
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Iconic Blade set to welcome first tenant

By Paul Robins
February 11, 2010

Reading's iconic office tower The Blade looks set to welcome its first tenant after finance firm Kaplan was given the go-ahead to move across town.

The training company’s application to use the ground and first floors of the futuristic complex for “office and educational use” was granted by planning chiefs on Wednesday, February 3.

It paves the way for Kaplan, which offers educational and financial advice, to move from its current home at Thames Tower.

It is believed Kaplan’s previous plans to take up the first two floors were scrapped as Blade bosses tried to thrash out a deal with PepsiCo so it could take up all 15 floors.

But the drinks giant, currently based in Theale, has opted against a move to the Abbey Square venue, pictured.

Kaplan, which has offices across London and in a number of towns and cities in the UK, said it had outgrown its existing base at Thames Tower.

Councillor Jim Hanley, who chaired the planning applications committee meeting, welcomed the move.

“It is good to see someone moving in,” he said.

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Weren't the Blade bods going to dump Kaplan if Pepsico took the lease as mentioned above?

I bet that makes them feel very welcome then . . . . and not much more than a PR opportunity for the developer.

Common Cents, Reading
11/02/2010 at 15:34

I would wager it will depend on how the country recovers from recession i'd say Millicent. During the boom time of the late eighties and early nineties, you couldn't get an office for love or money in Reading town centre so you never know....

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
11/02/2010 at 13:23

I'm beginning to wonder if the EP has a financial interest in this property given the positive coverage it gets.

I'm willing to wager that this "iconic" structure is never fully let.