Free Christmas Meals for Those in Need

A chicken restaurant in Reading will be opening up to provide free meals for the needy on Christmas Day.

A Reading chicken restaurant will open on Christmas Day to give free meals to people in need.

Manzanos Peri Peri at the Broad Street Mall will serve free hot meals, dessert and a drink to the homeless and those who cannot afford one. The giveaway runs from 1pm to 4pm, dine-in only, and there is no need to book in advance.

Owner Asam Aziz said: “The reason we’ve decided to open on Christmas Day is to provide free meals for the homeless and for those who simply cannot afford one.

“In a time where negative attitudes towards Muslims and immigrants are increasingly visible, this initiative is about breaking down barriers and reminding people of our shared humanity.

“With austerity at an all-time high and many families struggling just to get by, we felt it was important to create a space where everyone is welcome — regardless of race, background, or religion.

“It’s a small effort to bring people together, foster understanding, and show compassion where it’s needed most.”

A poster for the event quotes: “The Prophet Muhammad once said: ‘The best of you are those who feed others’.”

Manzanos has run similar giveaways since 2019.

The business first made headlines in 2018 during a naming dispute with the Nando’s chain. It had been called ‘Fernandos’, with Nando’s threatening a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement. Mr Aziz said the name was inspired by the fictional island of ‘Fernando’s’ from ITV’s Take Me Out; the actual destinations on the show were Tenerife and Cyprus. The name was changed to ‘Fernandez’ later that year.

The story received nationwide coverage from outlets including the BBC, the Daily Mail, LadBible, The Sun and The London Evening Standard. After another legal threat from the Fernandez Grillhouse in Loughborough, Mr Aziz renamed the business ‘Manzanos’ in May 2019. Fernandez in Loughborough was listed as permanently closed in June last year.

The second Manzanos restaurant opened in the Fishponds area of Bristol in December 2022.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter