A RIVERSIDE pub in Caversham is set for changes to make the venue more food-focused.

The Crown in Bridge Street stands in a prominent location immediately next to Caversham Bridge and the north of the River Thames.

The pub’s operators want to make changes to how it is run by changing food and drinks serving times.

The operators want to sell food until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Currently, food is served from 12pm to 9pm each day.

The operators also want to sell alcohol from 9am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays as well.

That is different from the current hours over the two days, with The Crown being open from 12pm to 11.30pm on both days.

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The proposed changes suggest those in charge want to make The Crown more food-focused. 

It currently has a diverse food menu made up of tacos, wings, pizzas and burgers, while also offering a festive bottomless brunch, a buffet and festive twists on the existing food offer.

Also during the Christmas period, the pub is open until later as well, closing at midnight on Thursdays and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

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To be able to sell food until midnight and alcohol from 9am onwards, the operators need licensing consent from Reading Borough Council.

The Crown is operated by Stonegate, the biggest pub company in the UK, under its ‘Crafted Social’ brand.

Explaining the planned-for changes, a spokesperson from Stonegate said: “The Crown in Caversham recently submitted an application to trade for an extra 30 minutes on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Due to a welcome increase in late-night guests during the festive season, the pub is aiming to accommodate customer’s needs, and will now aim to trade until 12am on both Friday and Saturday, to ensure the pub can stay at the heart of the community and respond to positive customer demand.”

You can comment on the changes to the operating hours by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk.

The deadline for responses is Thursday, January 4, 2024.

The pub is expected to revert to its usual closure hours of 11.30pm once the festive period is over in January.