Reading pub with all-female team could stay open until 1am

The Palmer Tavern in East Reading received a £360,000 revamp earlier this year, becoming one of the first of brewery Greene King's 'Nest' brand of pubs when it reopened in March.

Rule changes allowing the pub in Wokingham Road to stay open from 10am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays are set to be decided.

While the pub's operator argued it has become a safe space for women to enjoy themselves since reopening, some neighbours have complained that the later hours will cause disturbance.

A landlord of a home expressed concerns that punters will make noise when leaving.

He said: "Although I presently live in the town centre I own a house nearby, which I let to tenants, and I may return to the house at some stage.

"I object to this as I am concerned about an increase in late night disturbance, litter and drunkenness in the area - for my tenants who have young and teenage children - especially noisy revellers making their way home towards the university.

A neighbour who lives nearby said: "I appreciate the pub trade is currently very difficult but expanded activities should not be to the detriment of the local population."

The new look for The Palmer Tavern, which reopened on March 22 after a £360,000 upgrade. (Image: Samantha Lane)

The pub currently opens from 11am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, closing at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Responding to these concerns, Samantha Lane, the operator and franchisee said: "The one thing I'd like to put out there is that we're not applying to extend hours to make masses more money.

"Since I took over with an all-female team this has become a really student-focused pub.

"Some of them are starting their 'drinking careers' here, we've all been there!

Samantha Lane, the operator of The Palmer Tavern in Reading, the first of Greene King's franchise of Nest pubs (Image: Greene King)

"The girls feel so much safer with us, we looked after them, we mind their drinking, not one of them will leave here unsafe.

"We all know town is overrun and doesn't always feel safe.

"At least if we stay open later they'll probably stay here instead, and have as much fun as they want on a night.

"It's what us girls are all about, we want to have a good time and make sure it's a safe good time for everyone.

"If we close at 1am they are less likely to go off into the town centre."

She added that The Palmer Tavern has been temporary events licences since March allowing later closure, arguing that her team set a good example during these events.

Ms Lane said: "We've had no trouble. We disperse people at closure, make sure people are not hanging around, and we do a litter pick in the morning.

"I'm putting everything in place to make sure this is a safe and friendly environment for the whole community as well.

"I'm very approachable, if there is an issue it's something I can log, if it's a continuous issue, I can sit down with my team and will see what can be done going forward."

The later opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays are set to be decided at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's licensing applications sub-committee on Thursday, September 12.