Reading Cafe Seeks Licence to Serve Alcohol

Mon Chéri, an independent cafe and bakery in Reading town centre, has applied to sell alcohol.

It opened in March last year in the former Greggs on West Street and serves hot and cold drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, pies, delis, baguettes, cakes and desserts.

The name means ‘my darling’ and is also a well-known chocolate brand. The cafe is run by Erald Shtembari from Kefalonia.

Mr Shtembari said: "We want to sell traditional Greek alcohol alongside our Greek bakery.

"The drinks will be beers and traditional Greek spirits such as Metaxa and Ouzo.

"From September, we’ll also be doing English breakfast and brunch."

The licence application to Reading Borough Council seeks to allow alcohol sales from 11am to 11pm daily. A statutory consultation is open - email licensing@reading.gov.uk. Responses close at the end of Tuesday, June 30.

Mr Shtembari’s sister, Edra, is a director of Tasty Greek Souvlaki with her husband, Luftar Rusta. Mr Rusta and Mrs Shtembari are gearing up to open Italian restaurant Aperino at the Bristol & West Arcade later this year.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter