Reading burger joints in dispute over outdoor seating area

A few weekends ago, builders on behalf of Fat Twins and Kaspa’s began building a new covered area, called a pergola, for the shared location at The Granby.

But neighbours Smash N Grab have argued the pergola encroaches on their business.

Uzma Qadir, who helps run Smash N Grab, said: “This hut used to be a florist, there was always a mutual agreement that the fence would sit on the other side of these blue bollards.

“The florists used to park their car on that bit.

The Fat Twins pagoda which was built on Sunday, July 3. Uzma Qadir has argued the seating area should be limited to the right of the blue bollards. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

“There has been mutual respect of keeping this open so that our shop is visible.

“Then along come Fat Twins and Kaspa’s, who’ve just gone above and beyond, without any care to block us. You can’t see us. This is just taking the mick.”

READ MORE: Fat Twins and Kaspa's open in historic Granby Tavern

Google Map images from 2009-2021 do show the fenced area limited to the blue bollards.

Mrs Qadir also called the sign for Fat Twins and Smash N Grab erected in December 2021 “a monstrosity.”

Uzma Qadir has argued the pergola and the sign from Fat Twins encroaches on their business. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

She has called for the pergola to be limited to behind the blue bollards, taken down, and the sign reduced to a similar one previous occupants Sprinkles Gelato had.

Her husband, Farouq Bhatti, who has run the business since February 2021, said: “Throughout history there’s been this mutual respect between both buildings.

“The angle of the original fence allowed the visibility of our shop to exist.”

“We were given no notice and to be sprung upon this on Sunday afternoon, and they wouldn’t budge at all.”

The pergola was built on Sunday, July 3.

A meeting between the two businesses and their shared landlord fell through the following week.

Mr Bhatti said: “Any further conversations would literally be a waste of time, from the attitude of the initial conversations.”

Farouk Bhatti and Uzma Qadir, the owners of Smash n Grab at Cemetery Junction. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mrs Qadir has characterised the issue as a David and Goliath dispute.

Fat Twins and Kaspa’s is run by Mohammed Raja and two business partners.

It is Mr Raja’s first franchisee business with the two brands, with permission to open a second Fat Twins in Oxford Road granted earlier this year.

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He has argued that permission for the seating area is established in the title deeds, and that planning permission is not needed for the temporary structure.

Mr Raja added that a cobblestone path between the two businesses is attached to his premises, and that he has accommodated Smash N Grab by allowing them to put their bins out in front of the new pergola.

It’s understood the sign was approved in January 2022 after the franchisees applied for advertising consent (planning reference 211277).

The title deed plan for The Granby Tavern. Mohammed Raja has used this as evidence to show he has the right to build the pergola to its current extent. Credit: Provided By Kaspas Desserts

A spokesperson for the franchisees said: “The Granby is an iconic building in Reading, a building many people grew up with.

“The building had been left to ruins before we took ownership directly after the pandemic and we have transformed it in to a new and exciting destination for the local community.

“The pandemic hit the local economy hard and it is important we make every effort to bring the community back to areas and destinations like this.

The Granby at Cemetery Junction. This is the first Fat Twins Mohammed Raja has opened, with another on the way in Oxford Road. Credit: James Aldridge, LDRS

"As part of this regeneration, we have improved the aesthetic of both the internal and external areas of the site within our boundaries.

“This has included the replacement of the existing sign and renovation of the covered outdoor seating area.

“All of these improvements were approved by the landlord, local council and building control, to breathe life in to this treasured local landmark.

“Our neighbouring businesses are important to us, and the local community and as such we have made every effort to work with them through this transformation and will continue to do so in the future.”