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Pheasant Pub Seeks Extended Opening Hours

The Pheasant pub in Katesgrove, Reading, has applied to stay open later at night.

It sits at the busy junction of Southampton Street and Whitley Street, on a stretch of shops and takeaways passed by thousands daily.

The pub has a troubled past: 17 incidents were recorded by licensing officers from January 2018 to September 2020, including fights involving bottles and knives and allegations of "open drug use". Police recorded cocaine use on three occasions in 2018.

Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council licensing officers asked for the licence to be reviewed. In December 2020 the licensing applications sub-committee imposed tough conditions.

The Pheasant was put up for sale in 2021 but has continued to sell alcohol and trade. The current owners want new hours: 10am to 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application would allow the sale of alcohol, films and indoor sports, recorded music and similar activities during those hours. A statutory consultation is currently live.

To take part, email licensing@reading.gov.uk. The deadline for responses closes on Thursday, May 28.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter

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