A plan to convert a pub into a Greggs bakery in Reading has been rejected due to the loss of a community facility.
A plan to turn the Royal Albion pub in Reading into a Greggs bakery has been denied, highlighting the importance of community spaces.
The pub, located on Oxford Road, has been closed since October and saw its reputation decline after a police raid in March 2022. Following that incident, Greene King sold the pub to a private buyer, who proposed the conversion to a bakery.
Darren Brett, who managed the Royal Albion from 2007 to 2019, opposed the plan, emphasising its role as a community hub with live sports and events. He attributed its decline to mismanagement, not a lack of demand.
Reading Borough Council's planning department rejected the application, with planning officer Nathalie Weekes stating that losing the pub would harm the community. Although some benefits were noted, like potential job creation, they were not enough to outweigh the loss of a public house.
Marketing information suggested other pubs could meet the community's needs, but Weekes found that the application did not adequately demonstrate a lack of need for the Royal Albion or that its closure wouldn’t negatively impact the area. She also pointed out missing details about potential noise and accessibility issues related to the proposed new use.
The decision to reject the conversion plan was made on October 6. For more information, refer to the council’s planning portal with reference PL/24/1521.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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