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.

  • Sep- 2021 -
    9 September
    PeopleItsu appoints new CCO

    Itsu appoints new CCO

    Itsu has announced the appointment of Neil Miller as its new chief customer officer (CCO). In the newly created role, Miller will lead the development and strategy of Itsu’s customer proposition, marketing, digital transformation and management of the brand. Prior to joining the group, he spent 25 years as a…

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  • 7 September
    Food and DrinkJollibee to open new location in Reading

    Jollibee to open new location in Reading

    Fast-food chain Jollibee has announced that its new Reading store will launch on Thursday 9 September 2021. The restaurant is located on Broad Street, one of the town’s main shopping streets and pedestrianised areas. The opening in Reading is a strategic move from Jollibee who are branching out to reach…

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  • Aug- 2021 -
    5 August
    RestaurantsItsu set for debut franchise in Reading

    Itsu set for debut franchise in Reading

    Itsu has announced the opening of its first ever franchise restaurant, located at the Reading Gate Retail Park. Launching on 9 August 2021, the new site will support over 30 jobs through both its ‘grab and go’ and dine-in experiences. The franchise restaurant will span 2,970 sq ft, seating up…

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  • Jul- 2021 -
    21 July
    RestaurantsThe Corn Stores reopens with new dining concept

    The Corn Stores reopens with new dining concept

    Rarebreed Dining has announced the reopening of its Reading venue, The Corn Stores, with a brand-new fine dining concept. Located in the heart of Reading in a restored Grade II listed building, the new store includes a restaurant, cocktail bar and members’ lounge. Furthermore, the venue recently underwent a refresh,…

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  • Jun- 2021 -
    21 June
    RestaurantsItsu to open 100 new stores after securing investment deal

    Itsu to open 100 new stores after securing investment deal

    Itsu, an Asian-inspired restaurant chain, has announced plans to create 100 new venues across the UK as part of its partnership with private equity firm, Bridgepoint.  Founder of Itsu, Julian Metcalfe, said the new partnership “secures tremendous growth” for the restaurant group – which is recovering from the impact of…

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  • 4 June
    PeopleChilango welcomes Nigel Sherwood as non-exec director

    Chilango welcomes Nigel Sherwood as non-exec director

    Chilango, the 14-strong Mexican-inspired restaurant chain with sites across London and the UK, has announced the appointment of Nigel Sherwood, who will be joining the board as a non-executive director.  Sherwood is currently chief operating officer at Wagamama and has also worked as  managing director at Shake Shack, and within…

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  • 2 June
    RestaurantsMaidenhead restaurant fined £85k for fire safety breaches

    Maidenhead restaurant fined £85k for fire safety breaches

    Malik’s Restaurant, Cookham in Maidenhead has been fined £85,000 over a number of “serious fire safety breaches” discovered after a blaze took place at the venue.  On 23 October 2020, Reading Magistrates’ Court heard that a serious fire broke out in the early hours of 6 December 2016. An investigation…

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  • May- 2021 -
    26 May
    BusinessWingstop invests in UK franchisee

    Wingstop invests in UK franchisee

    US-based chicken wing restaurant group Wingstop has announced a minority investment into its UK franchisee-owned Lemon Pepper Holdings (LPH). The group claimed that the investment follows the UK’s strong performance, and represents the firm’s confidence in the market as a lever for global expansion. Wingstop made a 100-restaurant sole UK…

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  • Apr- 2021 -
    7 April
    BusinessDeliveroo shares rise 2% despite riders strike

    Deliveroo shares rise 2% despite riders strike

    Hundreds of Deliveroo riders are expected to strike today for fair pay, and better working rights – as the company saw its shares rise for the first time since its market debut.  The socially distanced protests, which were organised by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), are planned…

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  • Nov- 2020 -
    23 November
    CoronavirusThe Three Chimneys shutters for remainder of 2020

    The Three Chimneys shutters for remainder of 2020

    Isle of Skye restaurant, The Three Chimneys, is closing its doors until 2021 on 25 November, as Scottish travel restrictions and rulings make it “impossible” to continue trading.  Owner Gordon Campbell Gray made the announcement on the venue’s website, stating that “getting on top” of the spread of Covid-19 is…

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