Nicole McBride

Reading

Digital Reporter at Bracknell News

Digital Reporter at The Reading Chronicle

Digital Reporter at Newsquest Bucks and Berks covering @bracknellnews @rdgchronicle and surrounding areas.

Articles

Reading Hollywood Bowl announces opening date in The Oracle

3 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

Hollywood Bowl (Image: NQ) A new bowling alley and arcade has announced it’s opening date in Reading town centre following years of planning. Hollywood Bowl offers a place to make ‘fun-filled memories in their state-of-the-art lanes’ alongside delicious food and drinks. They have announced that the Reading location will open on Saturday, July 5 in The Oracle. The venue will be located in the lower ground floor of the former House of Fraser department store.
Eight Berkshire businesses named and shamed for not paying national minimum wage

3 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

It includes a Reading restaurant, a leading provider of school childcare, a car wash and a boat repair business based in Reading. HMRC revealed the employers who failed to comply with National Minimum wage legislation and who face financial penalties. The firms on the list are located in Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Slough and Henley-On-Thames. This includes London Street Brasserie in Reading, who failed to pay £5,343.77 to 13 workers.
Eight Berkshire businesses named and shamed for not paying national minimum wage

3 days ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Nicole McBride

It includes a Reading restaurant, a leading provider of school childcare, a car wash and a boat repair business based in Reading. HMRC revealed the employers who failed to comply with National Minimum wage legislation and who face financial penalties. The firms on the list are located in Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Slough and Henley-On-Thames. This includes London Street Brasserie in Reading, who failed to pay £5,343.77 to 13 workers.
Newbury Caffe Nero closes its doors for good in town centre

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

Cafe Nero (Image: Google maps) A coffee shop in Newbury town centre has closed its doors for good. Located on Bartholomew Street, Caffé Nero has closed after years of trading. A sign posted on the door stated: “Sadly after many happy years here this Caffe Nero has had to close due to circumstances outside our control. “We have loved being here and would like to thank you for being a wonderful customer – it has always been a privilege to serve you.
HGV drivers fined for breaching weight limits on bridges and roads across Berkshire

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

Sonning bridge (Image: WBC) Several heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers have been fined for breaching weight limits across Berkshire. The Public Protection Partnership (PPP), which monitors compliance with weight restriction orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, caught the offenders during routine inspections and patrols with Thames Valley Police.
Reading cider maker wins top award at British Cider Championships

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

Andrew Williams of Seven Trees Cider, a small-scale craft cider producer, achieved the victory at the Royal Bath and West Show held from May 29 to 31. Supported by his wife Ann, Mr Williams produces around 2,000 litres of cider each year using surplus apples from gardens and orchards around Reading and West Berkshire. The winning blend in the Farmhouse Cider (Medium) class was crafted using traditional cider apples from a single orchard near Crewkerne in Somerset.
Reading: Digital parking permits to be introduced for residents

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

The proposed digital scheme will eliminate the need for scratchcards, allowing residents to reserve parking for their visitors for a minimum of one hour at a time. Part of a broader review of the parking permit scheme, the new system also introduces motorcycle permits and simplifies permit categories. Digital residents' permits were introduced across Reading in November 2023, with a successful trial of digital visitor permits in Lower Caversham since March 2024.
Fire crews rush to kitchen fire where air fryer is found ablaze

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

Wolsey road (Image: Google maps) Fire crews rushed to Reading home after reports of a kitchen fire in Caversham. The incident occurred at 6:19pm on Monday, June 2 on Wolsey Road. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service discovered a blaze involving an air fire which they extinguished at the scene. A spokesperson from RBFRS said: “Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood fire stations were sent to the scene.
Illegal e-bike seized and crushed after 'driving dangerously' in Reading park

4 days ago | readingchronicle.co.uk | Nicole McBride

E-bike seized and crushed (Image: TVP) An illegal e-bike has been seized and crushed after driving dangerously in Prospect Park. Thames Valley Police said that they have received numerous reports over the last few weeks regarding illegal e-bikes and scramblers in the area. Plain clothed officers and members of the Neighbourhood Team targeted the area during their patrols where they caught several people. The illegal e-bikes are seized for users and crushed.
Nurturing pre-school where 'children thrive' rated 'good' by Ofsted

4 days ago | bracknellnews.co.uk | Nicole McBride

The Pines Community Pre-School at The Pines Community Centre, Hanworth Road, Bracknell, was rated "good" in all areas following their latest Ofsted inspection. This includes the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. During the visit on April 25, 2025 inspectors said: "The pre-school staff foster a nurturing environment where children thrive.