A popular sports bar in Reading opened again after a period of closure and is now sporting dozens of flags to celebrate the Euros 2024 tournament. 

Walkabout confirmed that it will be showing all the matches, and is expecting lots of customers during the last few England games. 

The Stonegate group who own Walkabout have since confirmed that the bar opened its doors once again on March 18, and has been serving customers ever since. 

The bar on Friar Street had remained closed for a month after Tharel Thompson, a Barbados national who was visiting family in Reading, was stabbed in the head on the premises. 

A spokesperson from Stonegate said “Walkabout in Reading has been open and trading since March 18, 2024. The venue is now showing cricket, football, F1, rugby and more and has become a central hub for this year’s summer of sport.

"Walkabout has seen a positive response from the local community with its sports focussed offering, and is poised to welcome locals in the coming months to enjoy more good times and further sporting action with friends and family.”

Thames Valley Police rushed to the Walkabout pub near Friar Street at around 2 am on Sunday, February 11 to attend to a serious incident reported at the venue.

After initial investigations, it was reported that a Barbados national who was on holiday in Reading with his family had been stabbed in the head.

Since then a man pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. Krisma Anthony, 23, from Woolwich, appeared at Reading Crown Court via live video link on May 31.

He was charged alongside 22-year-old Jahlil Charles with attacking Tharel Thompson in the early hours of February 11.

Charles - a St Lucia national - appeared in person at court wearing grey Nike overalls.

He pleaded not guilty on charges of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place at a hearing in March.

The pair are set to stand trial on August 13.

Thompson, a 28-year-old Bajun national, was on holiday in Reading at the time of the stabbing.

During his time in hospital, he was served a huge bill of medical costs - but his family succeeded in raising tens of thousands of pounds from supporters.

He has since been discharged from Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Knife crime has seen a significant increase in recent years. More than four per cent of 7,500 young people surveyed said they carried a weapon in a report last year.

While recorded knife crime across Thames Valley reduced by four per cent across the Thames Valley area in the 12 months to November 2023, a number of high-profile incidents locally prove it remains an issue.