Closed Greggs at Reading pub to become food centre

The Greggs in Whitley Street, Katesgrove closed for good four weeks ago on Sunday, February 18.

The chain bakery occupied the former Wellington Arms pub, which was closed for years before Greggs franchisees took it over in 2018.

Now, the ground floor unit which Greggs used to occupy is set to become a Turkish food centre specialising in halal food.

READ MORE: Neighbour fears plan to replace pub with Greggs could force her out of her home

Photos show that Turkish halal food centre "Express" will be opening soon.

'Halal' is Arabic for permissible, and dictates what foods Muslims should eat.

Muslims have specific slaughter methods for animals for the meat to be considered halal.

The closed Greggs at the old Wellington Arms in 72 Whitley Street, Katesgrove, now set to become a Turkish halal food centre which will be opening soon, according to signage. (Image: UGC)

Meanwhile, pork, alcohol and other foods are 'haram' or forbidden in Arabic.

Adherents of Islam have begun fasting for the holy month of Ramadan, which began yesterday (Monday, March 11) and runs for 40 days.

READ MORE: What is Ramadan and how do people celebrate Ramadan?

Previously, the new occupants may have required a 'change of use' application to convert the unit from a bakery into a food store.

However, a number of different use classes were amalgamated into use class E in changes to the Town and Country Planning Act made in 2020.

A planning application (reference (240167) was submitted to adjust the opening hours from 6am to 8pm on Monday to Saturdays and 7am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays to 6am to 11pm all week.

However, that plan, submitted by building owners Sykes Capital has since been withdrawn.