Thai set for takeover by Indian restaurant in Reading

Bolan Thai has occupied the upper floor of the Kings Walk mall in the town centre for many years but has permanently closed and signage from the restaurant has been removed.

Now neighbouring eatery Chilis is set to take over the unit, therefore occupying another space in the mall, which is now called 'The Village'.

The Chilis Indian and Chinese cuisine restaurant has applied to sell alcohol and play recorded music from 9am to 11pm each day.

This application has been made to Reading Borough Council's licensing department.

A statutory consultation into the application is currently live. You can respond to it by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk. The deadline for representations is Sunday, October 27.

The existing Chilis restaurant inside The Village mall opened back in November 2022.

It was run as a buffet as an introductory offer, before moving to an a la carte menu model soon afterwards.

Anjan Vonteddu, manager of Chilis restaurant, which is taking over from the old Art of Siam in the upper level of The Village mall in Reading. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The Chilis business has grown from its first restaurant in Station Road, Newbury to open the current restaurant in Reading and a convenience store in Caversham sometime in the summer of 2023.

It is expected that a range of Indian and Asian beers and alcoholic drinks will be sold at the second Chilis restaurant in Reading if the licence is granted.

The existing Chilis at The Village itself occupies the unit vacated by the Art of Siam Thai eatery that closed back in December 2015.