Boswells in Broad Street Mall celebrates 50 years in Reading

Charlotte Jones and her three brothers now oversee 18 Boswells cafes across the south of England and Wales, but it was Reading that gave their grandad his first success.

They held a party in the shopping centre on October 24 to give something back to their customers during the cost of living crisis.

“It’s a really special milestone: That it’s passed down three generations and is still going strong. It’s really lovely that’s its continuing,” said Charlotte.

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“We’re really aware that we wouldn’t be where we are without the customers.”

Celebrations at Boswell's in Broad Street Mall (Image: Boswell's)

She continued: “That they’ve come back after the difficult times of Covid, its meant even more.”

Charlotte added that she thinks the reason they keep coming back is their unique and friendly staff.

Peter Burn and his son Jeremy opened the first hot break bakery in The Butts centre – now Broad Street Mall – in 1972, establishing a regional chain in the years to come.

50 years of baking in Reading (Image: Boswell's)

They branched out to include a Coffee Lounge in the Brunel Centre, Swindon long before the 21st café culture took off.

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So successful was the business that Princess Anne met with Jeremy Burn in 1978. Then came shopping centre eateries in Reading and Newbury named: Le Café, a Taste of France’.

In June this year, Peter’s grandchildren held a festival, BOSFEST, to celebrate their 50th anniversary before hosting tea parties in all 18 of their Boswells bakeries.

"It was such a special event, enjoyed by our customers and the Boswells Team. It was a lovely opportunity to thank our customers in person for continually choosing Boswells," said Tim Burn, Boswells Director, who attended the event in Broad Street Mall.