RESIDENTS are being given the opportunity to visit the new Peach Place square this weekend ahead of its opening later this month.

The new Wokingham town square at Peach Place is on track to open this month and will be bringing a continental-style pedestrian quarter to the heart of Wokingham.

The square will have cafes and bars as well as independent shops and some high street favourites, which are due to open in the next few months.

New businesses on the site already include the town’s first vinyl record store and a beauty salon.

Bernie Pich, assistant director for commercial property, said: “It is going to be an exciting summer for Wokingham Town Centre with new places to eat, drink, shop and socialise due to spring up.

“Beyond the Download is just the sort of businesses we have been targeting. They offer something completely different for Wokingham and, with their great range of stock and live music events in their store, they are already proving a real hit with music lovers in the town.”

Mr Pich believes the space also brings a lovely area for pedestrians to go.

He added: “It’s not just about the new businesses opening in the space but also about the wider things it brings to the town centre, like a lovely pedestrianised space with seating and planting which will be great for relaxing or events.

“There are also the added extras at Peach Place such as new accessible public toilets which will be free to use, a drinking water fountain where people can fill up bottles and, in conjunction with My Journey which helps promote sustainable travel across the borough.

"Lots of new cycle stands and an integrated bicycle pump to help with bike repairs.”

Residents will be able to visit the new Peach Place square on Saturday April 13 from 8am to 5.30pm.

Mr Pich said: “Whilst the new square will be opening up later in April, in the interim, we thought it would be nice to open up the square for a day on Saturday April 13 so people can come along and have a look around to see how great it’s looking and what a fantastic space it will be for the town centre.”

Access will be from the entrance at the end of Bush Walk or from the arcade next to Gail’s artisan bakers.

The council are still in the process of finalising an exact opening date.