Global sci-fi and pop culture retailing giant Forbidden Planet has announced it will open a major new branch in Reading town centre this autumn. The development marks a significant physical expansion for the brand’s southern retail network, positioning a massive new corporate flagship directly into the heart of Berkshire’s cultural and commercial hub.
The new store, scheduled to open its doors in September, will be located at units 1b and 1c Queens Walk. The site places the retailer inside the Broad Street Mall, directly establishing a new anchor for pop culture merchandise, manga, graphic novels, collectables, and card games within the region.
Strategic Cultural Clustering
The selection of Queens Walk anchors Forbidden Planet underneath the Reading Biscuit Factory, a popular independent three-screen cinema, bar, and community hub. This positioning is commercially clever by capturing the natural crossover among film-goers, genre fans, and collectors in a single downtown location.
Furthermore, the new location introduces a high-density cluster of hobby retailers. Forbidden Planet’s chosen units will place them as immediate neighbours to the mall’s long-standing dedicated Warhammer store, concentrating the town’s geek culture footprint into a single, high-traffic destination.
Andrew Sumner, Chief Operating Officer of Forbidden Planet, expressed long-term corporate ambitions for the region in a statement:
We’ve been dreaming of bringing Forbidden Planet to Reading for decades and, at last, that dream has morphed into a 21st century reality. This vibrant town – the jewel of the Thames Valley – is a spirited locale with a richly-diverse cultural scene. We can’t wait to introduce the feel-good power of Forbidden Planet to the community!”
Market Competition and the High Street Ecosystem
The arrival of a premier corporate chain reshapes the local high street ecosystem, which already features a dedicated independent comic shop, Crunch Comics, located nearby in the Harris Arcade. While independent retailers traditionally face distinct overhead pressures when a major multinational footprint arrives, industry observers note that the scale of Forbidden Planet, coupled with the town’s direct connection to London via the Elizabeth Line, may serve to cement Reading as a premier regional shopping hub for hobbyists.
The launch window also aligns with a busy autumn schedule for local fan communities. The store’s opening will precede Reading Comic Con and the Reading Card Show, both scheduled to take place at the nearby Rivermead Leisure Complex, providing an immediate local audience for the branch’s emphasis on collectable card games and action figures.
The Broad Street Mall site is currently undergoing final preparations ahead of the autumn fit-out. The expansion follows recent UK retail moves by Titan Entertainment Group, further consolidating the brand’s presence across major British university towns and commercial centres.
Via Forbidden Planet.
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