Reading Borough Council has officially opened its new Central Library as part of the wider transformation of Reading’s Civic Centre. Delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction following procurement through Westworks’ DPS, the project has turned outdated civic offices and library facilities into a modern, accessible community hub.
The refurbishment demonstrates the value of flexible, well-managed procurement in securing the right construction partner for complex public sector projects. Working in partnership, Reading Borough Council and Morgan Sindall successfully delivered a major live-site redevelopment while maintaining vital public services throughout the programme.
Procuring the Right Contractor for Civic Construction Works
Reading Borough Council came to Westworks with a vision of revitalising their Civic Centre. Already armed with a plan and government funding, they used our Development and Construction DPS to procure the right construction partner to execute the scheme and deliver best value.
This project required a highly-skilled and experienced contractor owing to the scale, location and potential people impact of the scheme. To ensure Reading Borough Council received bids from capable contractors, we ran a mini-competition with sifting stage through our DPS. After a competitive process, the client awarded the contract to Morgan Sindall Construction, a company with almost 50 years’ experience of delivering public sector construction contracts, including cultural, leisure and education projects.
Photo by Stewart Turkington Photography www.stphotos.co.uk
We’re both delighted and proud to have completed the project at Reading Civic Centre for the staff and wider Reading community to use. Delivering a multi-use space whilst keeping the civic centre live, has been an interesting challenge throughout the duration of the works and required a strong working partnership.
– David Shore, Project Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction
Delivering Reading’s Civic Centre Transformation
Morgan Sindall successfully delivered the works across two phases. The first phase was a redesign and refurbishment of the Civic Centre, which was completed in January 2026. Phase two included the relocation and build of the library in the Civic Centre. The site was handed over to Reading Borough Council in May and the new library opened its doors to the public on 18 June 2026.
The Civic Centre now features:
- An impressive double-height atrium
- New digital check-in services
- Improved accessibility and customer facilities
- A new library with an enhanced children’s section
- 100 study spaces with free wifi
- An events area for community events and public meetings
- Civic offices providing housing, registrar, social care services and more.
Photos by Stewart Turkington Photography www.stphotos.co.uk
This project was delivered across live sites and had the potential to impact key civic services. Therefore, planning, communication and considerate working were essential. Morgan Sindall worked with Reading Borough Council to ensure continuity of services and minimise disruption for the public and employees. As a result, residents were able to access services throughout the programme of works and the council received very few complaints for a project of this size.
Charan Dhillon, Director Property & Asset Management at Reading Borough Council, commented on the successful partnership:
Morgan Sindall have been an great partner to work with throughout the delivery of this transformation of our Civic Centre. Delivering a complex refurbishment on a live site requires not only technical expertise but also a collaborative and considerate approach and their team demonstrated this consistently from start to finish.
The site staff in particular should be recognised for their professionalism, communication and commitment to minimising disruption. They worked closely with our teams to ensure critical services remained accessible, while maintaining a safe and well-managed environment for both staff and residents.
This project is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnership working and we are proud to have delivered such an important asset for Reading together. It represents a landmark investment in Reading’s future, transforming how we utilise our Council estate to deliver modern, inclusive, and high-quality public services. By re-imagining space within the Civic Centre, we have created a Customer and Library offer that is vibrant, accessible, and future-ready environment that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.
Creating a Long-Term Community Asset
This new state-of-the-art facility is an important investment in Reading’s community infrastructure. It provides residents with improved access to services, connects people with culture, and creates space for people to learn, read and socialise.
Photo by Stewart Turkington Photography www.stphotos.co.uk
Charan shares how the new centre will make a difference to Reading and its residents for years to come:
This project represents a landmark investment in Reading’s future, transforming how we use our council estate to deliver modern, inclusive public services. By reimagining space within the Civic Centre, we have created a vibrant, accessible and future‑ready Customer Service and new Central Library that reflects the needs and ambitions of our community.
The new library is more than just a building, it is a dynamic hub for learning, creativity and connection. With significantly enhanced facilities for children and young people, improved study and digital resources, and flexible spaces for community use, it has been carefully designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and support residents at every stage of life.
The Result of a Successful Partnership
Westworks helped bring together the right client and contractor to deliver this major transformation project. In partnership, Reading Borough Council and Morgan Sindall have regenerated the Civic Centre into a welcoming hub for culture, services and community life. Their collaboration leaves a lasting legacy for the people of Reading.
Secure your next great partnership through Westworks
If you’re seeking a delivery partner for a public sector project, Westworks can help.
Our flexible and supported procurement solutions allow you to tailor your tender pack to your requirements, helping you to secure a capable supplier who can achieve your goals.
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