Reading restaurants and shops at risk of closing down

The places that are at risk include steakhouses, a cinema, a supermarket and more.

In all, 10 restaurants and shops have been identified as places which could close.

A number of these are at risk as a result of the plan to demolish the Vue Cinema building south of the River Kennet and replace it with more than 200 apartments.

Yet more could go due to a plan to demolish the retail park next to the station and replace it with apartments and new retail space.

You can see those businesses that are at risk of closing in Reading below:

Vue Cinema 

The Vue Cinema at The Oracle Riverside in Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The Vue Cinema will be demolished if transformative plans by The Oracle's owners Hammerson are approved by Reading Borough Council.

Hammerson submitted two plans, with one relating to buildings north of the river and the other relating to the cinema and restaurants building on the south bank.

The southern plan would see the Vue and five restaurant units replaced with a tower containing 247 apartments and 2,600 sqm of cinema space for Vue to re-occupy once construction is completed.

Miller & Carter 

Miller & Carter steakhouse is one of four open restaurants that will have to close if the plans for the cinema and restaurants building south of the river is approved.

Miller & Carter opened its second steakhouse at The Caversham Rose in Kidmore Road in October 2022.

Browns 

The Vue Cinema and restaurants on the south side of The Oracle Riverside in Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Browns Brasserie & Bar, known for its brunches, Sunday roasts and impressive drinks menu would have to close prior to demolition taking place.

The next closest Browns restaurants are located in Windsor and Oxford.

Côte Brasserie 

French fine dining restaurant Côte would also have to close if Hammerson's redevelopment plans are given the go ahead.

If it does close, there are other Côte locations in Wokingham, Newbury, Henley and Windsor.

The restaurant unit next door was occupied by the Handmade Burger Co which closed and never reopened in 2020.

Both TGI Fridays in Reading 

The TGI Fridays which could be closed and demolished to make way for hundreds of homes as there are plans to redevelop Reading Station Shopping Park. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Both TGI Fridays barbecues in Reading are at risk due to redevelopment plans.

The newer TGI's in The Oracle would have to go along with the Vue Cinema building.

Meanwhile, the TGI's in Caversham Road, which has been open since 1989, is also at risk due to plans to replace the Reading Station Shopping Park with 600 homes.

The development involves the current L-shaped building and detached TGI restaurant and replacing them with 14 residential towers.

A decision on the project is being made by the government's planning inspectorate.

TGI's has a restaurant at The Lexicon in Bracknell.

The Range 

The Reading Station Shopping Park in Vastern Road, Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The Range is contained within the L-shaped building at the Reading Station Shopping Park, and is therefore at risk of closure.

A verdict on the huge development was meant to have been reached in November, but the planning inspectorate has issued a letter stating a decision will be delayed until January.

The project is being decided on by the planning inspectorate as developers Aviva Life and Pensions appealed against Reading Borough Council's non-determination of its plan in 2021.

The Range could potentially relocate to the Brunel Retail Park according to a plan submitted by the site owners MCTGF.

Majestic Wines 

Majestic Wines is situated next to The Range.

As well as residences, the replacement project would also see retail space a takeaway, offices and more created in the new buildings.

Majestic Wines has two locations in the area, with the other being located in Shepherd's Hill, Woodley.

Aldi 

The Aldi at Vastern Court, also known as the Reading Station Shopping Park in Vastern Road, Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

An Aldi is also contained in the L-shaped building, and therefore would go if the plan is approved.

The German supermarket giant opened its fifth store in the town at the Reading Gate Retail Park in November.

One Below 

The One Below discount store is a relative newcomer to the Reading Station Shopping Park opening in the former Mothercare unit in September 2021.

The store sells food, drinks, home goods and other essentials at cut-rate prices.

It too would have to close down if Aviva Life and Pensions is given the go-ahead.