A former printworks which once housed a now-defunct regional daily is to be given a new lease of life as a food and music venue.

The site at Tessa Road, Reading was the home of the Reading Evening Post from its launch by Thomson Regional Newspapers in 1965.

The newspaper remained there until early 2014 before ceasing print publication at the end of that year.

Now Reading Borough Council has approved plans from TM Leisure to convert the site into a food and drink establishment and live music venue, for a limited five-year period.

The news was reported on Berkshire Live which itself is closing tomorrow, bringing to an end nearly 60 years of news publishing in the Berkshire town by Reach and its predecessor companies, Trinity Mirror and TRN.

The venue will be named Tessa Studios and will host a range of events including live music, bingo, competitive socialising, DJ sets, comedy nights, and photo and video shoots, with space for 930 seated people and 2,000 standing.

However while the application has been approved, it is only a temporary permission lasting five years, meaning it must be restored to its former state by December 31, 2028.

The council’s reasoning for the time limit is that the proposed use is “not consistent with an employment area.”

Pictured at the opening ceremony for the Reading Evening Post in 1965 are, from left, works manager BA Clark, editor Howard Green, managing director Rex Gerrie, The Hon David Smith, who was Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Alderman Alice Burrows, who was Mayor of Reading, and Lord Thomson of Fleet.