A failed food court in Reading town centre has been replaced by a convenience store, Prime Seven Mart, on Oxford Road opposite Broad Street Mall.
Prime Seven Mart opened in April and sells snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, watches, accessories, vapes and offers mobile, laptop and tablet repairs.
It took over from the Food Court, formerly home to Oodles Chinese Cuisine, Tuk Tuk Pizza and Burger Base, which closed after the building was taken back by its owners in March last year.
The company behind the store, Muskaan Enterprises, won permission from Reading Borough Council in December to sell alcohol.
The licence allows sales from 7am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7am to 10pm on other days.
Muskaan had initially applied for 11pm every night, but cut hours after resident Alexandra Novikova objected, citing worries about crime and anti-social behaviour.
Marinder Kaur, Muskaan's legal representative, offered the reduced hours, which councillors approved at a licensing sub-committee.
Councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), Ama Asare (Labour, Thames) and Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood) granted the licence. Multi-packs of Thatchers cider and other alcoholic drinks were seen in the store.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
