Chris Read · Norwich developer

Thirty years of software, at AI speed.

I build lovely, human software — more and more, a warm alternative to the big-tech platforms, made for independent communities to own and enjoy. Thirty years at it, now with AI on the team, so it's done properly and quickly.

What I can build → Start a conversation

Chris Read, the developer behind Fantata, by the water in the sun

30 years

building software, professionally

10 years

running a live ticketing platform

Solo + AI

senior delivery, agency speed

what I do

Things I can make you.

Whatever you need — designed, built, and looked after, all by me.

Websites & apps

Sites, web apps, mobile and desktop apps — built to fit you, never stamped out of a template.

Bookings, tickets & shops

Bookings, ticketing, payments and shops. Ten years running one myself, so I know where it gets messy.

Making sense of your data

AI that actually reads your data and tells you something useful — in plain words, not another dashboard.

Rescuing old sites

Inherited a creaky WordPress site? I'll calm it down, or move you somewhere better — content and rankings intact.

Keeping it running

Reliable hosting, updates, and a real person to call when it misbehaves. Clear pricing, no lock-in.

Kind by default

Works for everyone, with no dark patterns, no nagging, no tricks — just genuinely pleasant to use.

Fast, accessible & secure

Quick, accessible and properly locked down — with straight 100s across the board in Lighthouse.

And the playful side.

I also make games, interactive pieces, and things built for the simple pleasure of making them. I run an improv comedy school too, so a sense of play tends to find its way into the work — even the serious parts of it.

Games Quizzes Playful experiments Improv comedy

a growing specialism

Software for communities, not shareholders.

More and more, this is the work I care about most: a friendlier alternative to the big-tech platforms, built for independent and niche communities instead of shareholders. The kind of tool you and your members genuinely own — calmer, kinder, and far nicer to use than the platforms you'd usually rent. Your people, your data, your rules.

Events & ticketing Memberships Newsletters Community spaces Directories & listings

a few things I've made

Things people actually use.

Real things I designed, built and still run myself — including one that's been quietly taking bookings for ten years.

a magazine · live

Outline

An arts and culture magazine for Norwich — what's on, who's making it, and why it's worth your time. A warm home for the city's arts and culture scene.

Proper writing, with the feel of a real magazine
What's on, reviews and competitions

outlineonline.co.uk →

a daily quiz · web & phone

Fast Five

A little quiz that got a bit out of hand. Five questions a day, played timed or relaxed, with a whole social side that grew up around it.

Private leagues with friends, and knockout cups
A fresh quiz every day, plus a Friday news round
A responsive web app — install it to your phone, no app store needed

fastfivequiz.com →

a case study · 10 years live

Dogface Improv

My own improv comedy school, and the longest-running thing I've built. The booking and ticketing behind it has quietly handled a decade of classes, courses and shows.

Courses, drop-ins, gift vouchers, all of it
Ten years of real bookings, refunds and everything in between
Straight 100s across the board in Lighthouse
Built for the community, not the bottom line

dogfaceimprov.com →

about

It's just me — on purpose.

Chris Read, a developer of thirty years, based in Norwich. I make the whole thing myself, from the database to the last line of copy — which is the reason it hangs together.

AI has changed what one experienced person can get done, and how fast. You get someone who's seen a lot making the calls that matter, moving at a pace that used to need a whole team — minus the overheads and the hand-offs.

I care about software being easy to use, kind on a bad day, and open to everyone. No sneaky tricks, no shouting, nothing out to get you.

Laravel Livewire Alpine Tailwind Flutter React Native iOS apps Android apps macOS apps Windows apps AI tooling Hosting Server recovery WordPress recovery Legacy migrations

say hello

Got a project in mind?

A new site or app, a system to sort out, an old mess to untangle — or just a half-formed idea you want to talk through. Tell me what you're after and when you need it. If I'm the right person you'll know quickly, and if I'm not, I'll say so.

hello@fantata.com →