Reading has lost two town centre food and drink venues but three new ones are set to open.
The Corn Stores in Forbury Road and Revolution in Station Road (pictured) have both closed but the Fat Hippo, Rosa’s Thai at Jacksons Corner and The Rising Sun in Castle Street are likely to be new additions.
The Corn Stores closed on December 22 for its usual Christmas break but has decided not to reopen. The venue, which opened in 2019, relied upon trade from office workers, but has closed due to slow business.
In a newsletter to customers, owner Rarebreed Dining stated: “With a heavy heart, we have decided to close The Corn Stores. It has been an honour and privilege to restore The Corn Stores to its former glory and act as custodians for the last few years but sadly, we have made the difficult decision to shut its doors.
“The move comes as we grow the business and continue to define Rarebreed as a collection of restaurants. Our other locations, The Shurlock, The Waverley and The Plough will remain open and will be part of our journey as we expand in other areas and acquire more sites.”
For Corn Stores customers, the nearest of those venues is The Shurlock at Shurlock Row between Reading and Maidenhead. The Waverley and The Plough are at Weybridge and Cobham respectively.
Revolution closed on Friday, January 5. Our previous enquiries to the company got no response but the following notice has been posted on its website: “We have loved shaking your cocktails and creating unmissable days and nights over the years, but as of today, 5th January, we will sadly be closing our doors in Revolution Reading.
“We wanted to extend an enormous thank you for joining the Revolution party over the years.
“Any guests with bookings will be contacted in due course. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
“Our team are ready and waiting to offer you your next Revolution experience in your nearest London-based bar, Revolution Leadenhall.
“Alternatively, our sister venue Revolucion de Cuba Reading would also love to welcome you.
“Thank you, and goodbye.”
However Revolucion de Cuba in Friar Street stands in the way of Thackeray Estates’ proposed development of a new courtyard and Jury’s Inn hotel which has yet to begin.
The former Sun Inn in Castle Street is to reopen under its original name, The Rising Sun. Heartwood Inns acquired the pub last year. It has been closed since May 2022. Once restoration is complete the company plans to open in March.
Burger restaurant the Fat Hippo’s application to make alterations for a new venue at Unit 2 at Jackson’s Corner goes before Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee on January 10. The firm has yet to respond to our request for a likely opening date.
And documents in that application reveal Rosa’s Thai has already signed a lease to take Unit 1. The restaurant has been asked for comment. Jackson’s Corner owner Sykes Capital does not comment publicly.
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