People in Reading are reacting as the possible future of a long closed pub has been laid out.

The Restoration pub in Oxford Road, Tilehurst has been closed for at least 10 years.

Earlier this year, a developer called Mr Hargun submitted an application to knock it down and replace it with one building containing 18 apartments.

More recently, a company called Carwash Five Star Ltd submitted a plan to use the land as a car wash in the meantime.

READ MORE: Tilehurst mum's housing nightmare as sink becomes blocked

Residents have reacted to plans for the future of the site on Facebook.

Michael Smith said: “There used to be car wash there and it was very popular.

“Then the council shut them down.”

Indeed, car wash company Diamond Wash did occupy land at the pub from 2009 until 2020.

That car wash had to shut because it did not have planning permission to use the land for its activities.

READ MORE: Carwash in Tilehurst forced to close

Although the company did have temporary permission to use the land until 2013, but continued to operate after that point.

While Mr Smith said that Diamond Wash was popular, other residents were sceptical about the need for a new car wash.

Andy Zegzdryn said:  “Reading needs a new carwash like it needs a new block of flats!”

It is true that there are a number of physical car wash businesses in Reading, and petrol stations which have automated drive through washing.

Other neighbours expressed concerns about the environmental effects proposed car wash at The Restoration could have.

Avsie Paul said: Will they be installing separation tanks to collect the waste chemicals used for washing cars, or just let it drain away into the water course.”

So far, Carwash Five Star Ltd has only submitted designs for what its car wash will look like.

The company has applied to occupy the land for up to 18 months.

One resident commented on the bigger plan to replace The Restoration with apartments.

Karon Hardie said: “There has been multiple applications to turn it into luxury apartments over the years, but never been passed.

“Personally I would love to see the pub back to a pub, I practically grew up in there, would definitely use it.”

READ MORE: 'Attractive' 1930s pub The Restoration could be knocked down for flats

The Restoration is neither nationally or locally listed, meaning that it is not a protected building, despite it dating back to the 1930s.

It was the subject of applications to replace it with apartments in 2011 and 2012, but both plans were refused.

The application submitted in 2012, to replace The Restoration with 20 apartments was appealed, but the appeal was dismissed by the planning inspectorate in June 2013.

The most recent application to replace it with 18 apartments can be viewed by typing reference 211142 into the council’s planning portal.

You can also view the application to use the land as a temporary car wash by typing reference 220514 into the portal.