Changes are coming to the eatery at John Lewis in Reading's Heelas building after Benugo Ltd submitted an application to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm.
Benugo is a British catering company that runs cafes at John Lewis Oxford Street and the British Museum. John Lewis has partnered with Benugo to revamp 32 in-store restaurants, and the Reading branch is in the first wave with work due to start in the next few months.
A statutory consultation on the alcohol application is live. You can respond by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk. The consultation closes on Sunday, May 3.
Both Ori Caffè and The Place to Eat remain open for now.
RetailWeek reports Benugo will take over The Place to Eat. John Lewis has been contacted for comment.
The number of department stores in Reading has fallen since Debenhams closed in 2020 and House of Fraser in 2023. John Lewis and Marks & Spencer remain, alongside similar offerings at TK Maxx, Next and Primark.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
