This is what's happening to the pub on the A4 in Reading

The George and Dragon was once a thriving and busy restaurant but closed during lockdown and never reopened. 

More than four years later, it is now set to become a drive-through Gregg's. But progress has been slow.

As this photograph shows this week, the site is surrounded by imposing metal fences which barely leave much room for pedestrians to pass. 

The pub was owned by Greene King with a menu from its Hungry Horse brand.

The old building's days are numbered as James Crosbie, the assistant director of planning at Reading Borough Council made the controversial decision to grant permission for its replacement last December.

The decision was lamented by Kathy Skinner, who lives next door to the closed pub, who argued the development would impact her health and wellbeing. She said: “There’s an issue of mental and physical health. It will bring cars within three metres of my back garden. Why should I be inflicted with fumes?

“If I really can’t stand it, depending on the valuation, I will sell up and move. I’m not going to stay in Reading when the council makes these decisions.”

The neighbour also argued that drive-thrus are unhealthy, adding to traffic problems, and raised concerns about light causing a disturbance to her and fellow neighbours.

Residents expressed fears that traffic queues will intensify as the site is located along the busy A4 and its junction with Burghfield Road.

Now, the site can be seen completely boarded up and obscured by scaffolding ready for demolition. Part of the building has been torn down, with not much left before the site is cleared.

An earlier photo provided by neighbour Patrick Ginnelly shows a hole where the pub's Morland sign used to be.

A photo showing the old George and Dragon pub in Bath Road, Reading set for demolition, with the Morland sign removed. (Image: Patrick Ginnelly)

Morland Brewery of Abingdon in Oxfordshire was the second oldest brewery in England behind Shepherd Neame.

Signs of its trademark painter with a pint in hand can be seen at pubs across Reading, including the Be at One bar and the former Oasis pub in Baker Street.

Morland was known for Old Speckled Hen before it was bought out by Greene King in 2000.

A Morland sign, one of many that can be seen at pubs across Reading. A sign similar to this one has been removed at the old George and Dragon pub along the Bath Road. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

The George and Dragon closed during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 and never reopened.

A viability report by Kevin Marsh, the director of Savills. which was used to justify the sale of the pub argued that the cost to bring it back into use at £1.412 million.

Furthermore, Mr Marsh pointed out there are 13 pubs within a 2.1 mile radius of the site.

In the latest development, details of the demolition and construction project for the Greggs drive-thru have been approved by the council's planning department on Wednesday, August 14.

You can view the approved application on the council's new planning portal using reference PL/24/0821.