Fantata
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.

Pick whatever you need. It's all me — drawing it up, building it, and looking after it long after it's live.

Websites & apps

Sites, web apps, phone apps for iPhone and Android, even proper Mac and Windows apps — whatever fits. Made to feel right on the thing it's running on, and built to fit you, not squeezed out of a template.

Bookings, tickets & shops

The behind-the-scenes machinery: taking bookings, selling tickets and products, handling payments, keeping track of it all. I've run this kind of system for ten years, so I know where it gets messy — refunds, sold-out nights, stock running low, gift vouchers, the people who don't turn up.

Making sense of your data

You've already got the data. I use AI to actually read it and tell you something useful — in plain words, showing my working. Not another dashboard you'll open once and never look at again.

Rescuing old sites

Stuck with a creaky WordPress site, or something nobody dares touch any more? I'll calm it down, write down how it actually works, and either keep it going or move you somewhere nicer — your content and your Google ranking coming with you.

Keeping it running

Somewhere reliable for it to live, updates when they're needed, and a real person to call when it's misbehaving — even if someone else built it. Clear pricing, and you're never stuck with me if you'd rather move on.

Kind by default

It works for everyone, on a good day or a rotten one. No sneaky tricks, no nagging pop-ups, nothing built to catch you out — just something that's genuinely pleasant to use.

Fast, accessible & secure

Quick to load, usable by everyone, and properly locked down — built in from the start, not bolted on at the end. Straight 100s across the board in Lighthouse: performance, accessibility, best practices and SEO.

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.

The Outline Norwich homepage, showing What's On event listings
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 →
The Fast Five daily quiz homepage
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
  • On the web, with a phone app to match
fastfivequiz.com →
The Dogface Improv homepage, listing improv classes and shows in Norwich
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
Chris Read
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 →