A Reading pub remains closed after being shut since the first lockdown.

The Earley Retreat in Lower Earley was closed on March 23, 2020, and has not reopened, meaning that is has been closed for 19 months.

This had lead to speculation about the future of the pub restaurant from neighbours in the area.

A sign outside the pub states that it is being marketed ‘To Let’ by James A Baker chartered surveyors.

Meanwhile, weeds have been left to grow between the paving slabs leading to the pub’s entrance.

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Despite the ‘To Let’ sign outside the pub, its owning company Mitchells & Butlers have stated that they are ‘assessing available options’ for its future, and have not relinquished control of it yet.

A spokesperson for The Earley Retreat pub said: “We can confirm The Earley Retreat pub currently remains closed while we assess all available options for the pub’s future.

“This decision has been taken after careful consideration and as part of the continual review of our estate.

“We’d like to thank guests and locals for their support and for expressing an interest in the pub’s future, and we’d like to assure them that no final decision has been made.”

The Earley Retreat is still listed as ‘temporarily closed’ on Google. It was run as a Sizzling pub brand, which is one of the many brands Mitchells & Butlers owns, which include Miller & Carter steakhouses, All Bar One, Harvester restaurants, and O’Neill’s.

There are two other Sizzling Pubs in Reading, The Tyler’s Rest in Tilehurst, and The Traveler’s Rest in Caversham.

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An advert on the James A Baker website states that The Earley Retreat is being marketed on a leasehold basis with rental offers being invited for consideration.

It comes with two separate flats for the new tenants, with the first being a one -bedroom studio flat with a bathroom and a kitchen, and the second flat coming with  three double bedrooms, a lounge, and a bathroom.

The pub is located in Chalfont Close, in the same building as the Lower Earley Library, and the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.