Concerns have been raised over people drinking in the street outside a Reading shopping centre. 

Town centre workers have spotted a number of people congregating outside the Metro Bank in Broad Street Mall most afternoons, leading to fears about street drinking despite restrictions.

Office worker Katie Bannock, 34, said: "I often see groups sitting on the window ledge outside the bank enjoying a drink or two on any given afternoon.

"While these people may be harmless, I do feel for the staff at the bank and the shopping centre, as well as the customers. I do worry it might be off-putting to shoppers and employees of the area." 

Photographs taken at the scene this week show a handful of people sat on the ledge in St Mary's Butts with a bottle of wine and cans of beer. 

Staff at the Metro Bank said their new management team was aware of the issue and are working towards a resolution. 

While there aren’t any blanket restrictions against drinking in public in the UK, restrictions can be imposed by local authorities.

In Reading, the council has restrictions in place to stop people from drinking in the street with fines of up to £1,000 for those found to be in breach.

Ms Bannock continued: "I would be interested to know how often these restrictions are enforced and by who, as it's very common to see discarded beer cans and bottles when walking up and down St Mary Butt's on any given day." 

Information from DrinkAware states: "Councils can put measures in place to stop drinking in certain areas where they believe alcohol could contribute to anti-social behaviour.

"In England and Wales, councils can use a ‘Public Space Protection Order’ (PSPO) to stop drinking in public in defined locations."

A PSPO came into effect across the whole of Reading Borough in April 2019, which can put controls on street drinking, begging, dog fouling, public defecation and littering.

A map of 'street drinking restriction areas' from 2008 has also been seen, which shows 'Drink Restriction Zones' made by designation orders in 2002 and 2006.

Anyone caught breaching the order is committing a criminal office and can carry a maximum fine of £1,000 if convicted.

A council spokesperson has acknowledged a request for comment, and a security official at Broad Street Mall has also been contacted.