New Indian coming to Reading to occupy empty Thai restaurant

The Art of Siam Thai restaurant closed down in The Village mall, better known as King’s Walk, back in December 2015.

Since then, the grand space it occupied in the upper floor of the mall has been left empty.

Now, an Indian restaurant from Newbury is set to take the unit over.

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Krishna Vangala the owner of Chilis at the Station Approach in Newbury, will be opening his second Chilis restaurant in the old Art of Siam unit.

Mr Vangala said: “Renovation of the restaurant is going on at the moment.

“We’re hoping to open in September.”

The old Art of Siam unit, set to be taken over by Chilis restaurant from Newbury. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter

In preparation for opening, Mr Vangala has submitted a licensing application to Reading Borough Council.

Chilis will be open from 9am to 11pm Monday to Sunday, with the application being to sell alcohol on premises during these times.

Anyone who wants to comment on the application can do so by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.

This application is separate to a similar one submitted by ‘Bombay Brothers’ which is set to occupy Unit 4 of The Village, which is on the ground floor of the mall.

More and more eateries have occupied The Village in recent years, with new additions including Ding Tea, My Warsaw Banh Mi QB, Ji The Chicken Shop and High Spirits Cocktail company.