The owners of a huge office complex on the outskirts of Reading have promised to reinstate a memorial bench to a much-loved brother.
The Shire Hall office complex in Shinfield Park was established in 1981 to serve as the headquarters of Berkshire County Council.
The complex is surrounded by woodland and a modest duck pond.
A bench was installed in memory of Chris Whitton, who died aged 26 on September 3, 1997, after his colleagues raised funding for it, providing a place for relaxation and reflection ever since.
It remained in place after the county council was abolished in 1998, with Foster Wheeler taking over Shire Hall in 2000 and consultancy firm Wood from 2017 to 2024.
Shire Hall has been sealed off for months after Wood relocated to Green Park, with the office complex being purchased by Fiera Real Estate and property developers Wrenbridge.
The site has been closed off since the summer, with Mr Whitton’s sister Emma Patey asking what has happened to the bench as she was unable to visit it during the Christmas period.
Mrs Patey said: “It has been standing proudly and has been used by many people, for nearly 30 years, to sit, relax and take time out from their busy day thus supporting their mental health and well-being.
“I took photos in March last year where Wood’s employees would sit, have their lunch admiring the view of peace and tranquillity with the Canadian Geese!”
She then asked where the bench is.
Following communication, the director of Wrenbridge Sport confirmed that the bench is still in place, and has offered for it to be delivered to Mrs Patey ahead of demolition and be re-installed on site once redevelopment works are complete.
Jessica Gavaghan, the director, said: “It is correct in that the site is currently fenced off as we are undertaking some demolition works, prior to the site being fully redeveloped later in the year.
“The bench is still on site by the ponds. There aren’t any works occurring nearby at the moment, but as the full demolition and development progresses it likely will need to be removed from its current location.”
Mrs Patey asked whether the bench could be reinstated.
Addressing that, director Gavaghan said: “The offer of reinstating it in the new development for future workers on the site is very kind, however I worry that it may get damaged or misplaced during the development period given there will be a number of contractors on site in the next couple of years.
“I think at least until the development is completed it would be best if you take it, and if you would like it reinstated once it is completed we can accommodate this.”
Any redevelopment would require planning permission from Wokingham Borough Council; however, no application for the site has been submitted yet.
