The landlady of a beautiful riverside pub just outside of Reading town centre said they have had a busy summer thanks to their numerous outside tables and chairs. 

The Fisherman's Cottage which is situated on the River Kennet boasts dozens of outdoor seats including a number of tables right next to the water. 

"When we have the sun it is quite nice at the pub," Cigdem Atkins said, who owns the space along with her partner. 

"As long as we had the sun it was not too bad at all. We are lucky to have a great outdoor space at the back. When it is sunny we get a lot of people. We are okay at the moment."

Despite the pair experiencing a relatively busy summer thanks to their outside seating arrangments, Ms Atkins still reflects that she is concerned that business will fall once work on the River Kennet restarts. 

Mrs Atkins previously said that she had been experiencing extreme business loss since the commencement of strengthening the Kennet's riverside retaining wall started.

The council closed off access for “essential repair works,” making getting to the riverside pub difficult and allegedly leaving the venue missing out on crucial passing trade.

The building work took place on the path that crosses in front of The Fisherman’s Cottage.

"After a few months of us getting good business over the summer, the council has said that they will be starting work on the other side of the river in September," Mrs Atkins said. 

"The council didn't tell us this directly we were told through other people. I have heard nothing yet, but I haven't contacted them as we don't get any results. I have given up on them."

A spokesperson for the council previously said that the work taking place along this stretch of Kennetside is a critical program of statutory work to strengthen and stabilise the riverside retaining wall and ensure properties along it continue to be protected for the future.

They continued to state that users and residents will recall the numerous holes that form along the older sections of this strategic pedestrian and cycle path, which require urgent repairs to keep the route open and safe.

They said that without this essential work, this section of the canal path would be deemed impassable, which would have a much bigger effect in the longer term.

They said "We appreciate the short-term disruption the works are causing, and the council and its consultant Stantec have visited the owners of the Fisherman’s Cottage.

"Unfortunately there is no additional relief that can be granted by Reading Borough Council beyond the existing 75% retail relief currently being applied.

"However we have advised the owners to consider contacting the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) directly to see if they would consider a temporary reduction to the Business Rates Rateable Value for the period the business is affected by the work."

The council confirmed that four signs stating that the pubs on Kennetside remain open for business as usual have also been put up to help ensure residents and visitors are aware.