Reading
Coverage highlights foodservice and hospitality activity in this key South East town, with reporting focused on the Oracle Riverside, Broad Street, Caversham, and Station Hill areas. Topics include restaurant and bar openings, commuter-led weekday trade, independent operator growth, and regional investment linked to Reading’s tech and business hub status. Insight is geared toward operators monitoring footfall dynamics, high street recovery, and scalable dining formats in affluent commuter markets.
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Apr- 2024 -5 AprilCafes and Coffee Shops
Two Magpies’ bakery and cafe opens in Framlingham
Two Magpies is today (5 April) officially opening its latest bakery and cafe in Framlingham. The new bakery, the tenth in the Two Magpies Group, is housed in the old Barclays Bank on Market Square. The new addition to the town will support local commerce and create new jobs in…
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Feb- 2024 -27 FebruaryNews
Today’s news in brief – 27/02/24
Drinks sales at pubs and bars stayed level year-on-year, with a small 0.1% fall for the week ended 17 February, to continue a solid start to February trading, according to data from CGA. Sales on Valentine’s Day, a crucial trading date for operators and suppliers, were 9% higher than on 14 February…
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27 FebruaryBreweries and Distilleries
Siren Craft Brew to open taproom and restaurant at Reading
Berkshire-based brewery Siren Craft Brew is set to open its new taproom and restaurant at Reading’s Station Hill mixed-use development in May this year. Siren has signed a 15-year lease for a 3,800 sq ft space on Friars Walk and will offer its range of locally produced ales, porters and…
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Jan- 2024 -10 JanuaryCatering Companies
BM Caterers strengthens business development team
BM Caterers has strengthened its business development team, with two new appointments and an internal promotion. Deniz Inceer has been recruited as business development manager with Lisa Cook appointed head of regional business development, while Michelle Jugessur has been promoted from new business relationship manager to head of business development…
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5 JanuaryNews
Revolution Bars Group to close eight sites
Revolution Bars Group, trading mainly under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has announced the closure of eight sites despite a 9% like-for-like sales increase for the four weeks from 4 to 31 December. Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs performed well, and whilst the Revolution brand…
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Nov- 2023 -24 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 24/11/23
SSP introduced Café Local, a travel-focused café and retail concept in UK regional rail stations. Already in 15 stations like Exeter and Reading, the flagship store resides in Peterborough, with plans for 15 more in a year. Offering barista coffee, snacks, drinks, and travel essentials, it fills the void at…
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24 NovemberCafes and Coffee Shops
SSP launches Café Local
SSP has launched a new travel-focused café and retail store concept called Café Local, which has been developed for UK regional rail stations. The first 15 Café Local stores have opened at stations around the country, including Fratton, Exeter, Reading, Dover and Sheffield, and the flagship store has recently opened…
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Sep- 2023 -15 SeptemberFood and Drink
Chick-fil-A plots UK return
US fast food brand Chick-fil-A has announced that it is set to relaunch in the UK in early 2025. The move comes a few years after the company closed its UK locations following protests from LGBTQ+ groups. Chick-fil-A currently has more than 2,800 restaurants across the United States, Puerto Rico…
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Jul- 2023 -7 JulyFood and Drink
Badiani to open branches in Westfield White City and Windsor
Italian gelato producer Badiani has announced its continued expansion in the UK with the opening of a new flagship at Westfield London in White City, as well as a shop on Windsor’s High Street later this month. The White City store, which is a 861 sq ft site located next…
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Jun- 2023 -27 JuneNews
Chopstix refurbishes Peterborough site as part of capex programme
Chopstix has renovated its Peterborough site as part of its seven-figure capex programme to supplement its expanding footprint. Having reopened this month after a £100,000 refurbishment, the high street site on Long Causeway follows the redevelopment of several Chopstix equity stores in recent months including Oxford Street, Nottingham and Reading…
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