A food market and beer garden constructed out of shipping containers opened in Reading on Saturday - an apt material, considering the venue made me feel as if I’d been transported somewhere else, writes reporter Brad Young.
Sipping pale ale from one hand and eating a crispy duck bao bun from the other, I had the sense of being in a trendy area of South East London while at Blue Collar Corner’s soft launch on Friday (March 11).
With funky music blaring from a live DJ, heat lamps littering the courtyard and colourful lights bouncing off metallic yellow and blue containers, the market was akin to a gentrified bar in Brixton or Leeds.
This, and some of the prices, mean ‘Blue Collar’ may not be the most appropriate name, but if you have the money to spare you’re getting an experience as well as refreshments for your hard-earned cash.
Blue Collar Corner isn’t one of the dozens of chains lining the Oracle Riverside or Broad Street, it has soul, a buzz, the feeling that its designers wanted to create character and ambience.
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Under a canopy of fake yet tasteful flowers, reporter Ollie Sirrell and I hopped from each food stall to the next and not one disappointed.
You Bao’s chicken buns were a personal favourite, but Gurt Wings chicken strips came a close second with their tater tots perfectly complimenting a pint of Parker on the roof terrace.
Don’t overlook the Taco Tree either, which offered a huge variety of veggie-friendly street food. I didn’t get a chance to try Sarv’s Slice, but if they tasted anything like they looked, their customers were in for a treat.
Owner Glen Dinning said he wanted to build a place that is inviting to foodies, people who are into drinking and people looking for somewhere different, and I think he’s ticked all three boxes.
This is the kind of place where you’d invite your friends to from out of town, whether you’re having lunch together, a pint after work or pre-drinks for a night out.
The naval-themed market has only been open two nights, but after seeing boatloads of people enjoying themselves on Saturday, I predict it will be a hallmark of Reading by summer.
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