A popular pub in Reading has recently spoken out on the success of their new beer garden which numerous customers have already enjoyed. 

The Rising Sun on Castle Street opened its doors after a period of closure a few months ago in June 2024 and business has been booming ever since. 

Assistant manager Telis Tatsios said that the restaurant sees plenty of customers weekly, a lot of whom wish to sit outside to enjoy the sun patio. 

"This is our sixth week open now and it is going really well," Mr Tatsios said. "So far we have the support of the town already, especially because of the garden.

"Whenever the sun is out our garden is the must-go place in the centre of town. It looks like an oasis in the city centre.

"Our beer and wine garden I would say is the must-go place in the town," he continued. 

The pub's manager Benjamin Donald has worked in hospitality for over 16 years now, everything from country pubs to large bars in Portsmouth all the way to Australia where he opened a new Jamie's Italian. 

When he found out that him and his team would be re-opening the pub, which holds great historic significance, he extensively researched its background. 

The Rising Sun used to be a 13th Century coaching inn with the old county jail beneath it. 

"Our wine cellar is now down there," Mr Donald said. "During covid when it shut it was actually the first time in 700 years that this place stopped serving alcohol. 

"Being one of Reading's oldest pubs it does have all that history to it and it's absolutely fantastic and fascinating, especially to be a part of it."

Mr Donald said that after the pub is fully up and running they plan to continue to be heavily involved in the local community.

"School fetes, working closely with the bid, that sort of thing," he said. "We are also planning to bring things back that the pub was always celebrated for before."

The Rising Sun has a rich history of live music with many having performed in the beloved establishment over the centuries it has been open. 

Mr Donald said that he plans to bring this back along with comedy nights. During the opening week the pub had multiple live events going on with music going out onto the terrace.