A pub in Reading that closed for some essential renovations has expressed how happy they are to be open again to welcome customers. 

Th Victoria, which is situated on Norcot Road in Tilehurst, recently closed for five days to renovate the interior of the pub. 

Dave and Jason took over The Victoria in August 2016 and have heavily invested their time and money to make it the success that it is today.

Co-owner of the establishment Dave said the following regarding the extensive work the pair have done to revamp the pub.

He said "During the pandemic we invested everything that we had to renovate and upgrade the pub, utilising the time in which we were closed to fully redecorate and upgrade the furniture.

"We recently closed the pub for five days to renovate the wood floor and install a new carpet, also touching up the paintwork whilst we were shut."

Dave, who has been in the pub game since age 17, fully recognises that in today's market, you have to constantly innovate and upgrade,

He continued "People come to the pub for the whole social experience so it really has to be inviting."

The independent pub in Tilehurst has also recently been recognised for having some of the best beer in the country by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).

After being acknowledged in CAMRAs beer guide, the pair shared some of their past achievements to date.

Dave said, "In 2022 we won the Chronicles Pub of the year, and in August 2023 we re-opened the Foresters Arms on Brunswick Street following extensive refurbishment, the pub had been closed for around 10 months."

The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nations’ pubs and is on sale now.

The full list according to CAMRA's guide includes pubs across the whole of Berkshire. You can purchase the guide through this link: https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2025/

These include the Recreational Society in Aldermaston, the Victoria Arms in Binfield, Cannie Man in Bracknell, the Newtown Pippin, Beech Hill's Elm Tree, Caversham's Clifton Arms, and the George Inn in Eton. 

The foreword of The Good Beer Guide 2025 has been written by multi-award-winning Iain Macleod, ITV’s Executive Producer for Continuing Drama.

Through dedication and staunch work from licensees and pub lovers in the face of a difficult economic year, the Guide boasts over 900 pubs that are new to this edition.

This information is collated by thousands of CAMRA volunteers who give up their time every year to promote the best of the best across the UK.