American burger chain Shake Shack is gearing up to open its first Reading town centre restaurant in the former Thomas Cook unit on Broad Street.
Founded in New York City in 2001, Shake Shack arrived in Covent Garden in 2013 and now has more than 16 UK locations. It has also been available for delivery in Reading since November 2020 as a delivery-only dark kitchen via Deliveroo Editions.
The Broad Street unit is operated by Hammerson, owners of The Oracle Shopping Centre. At the time of the announcement in June last year a Hammerson agent said the burger chain would have up to 25 full-time staff. The unit was vacated by Thomas Cook in 2019.
Shake Shack has applied to Reading Borough Council's licensing department to serve food and sell alcohol from 10am to midnight each night.
The application says the chain would sell a range of drinks, which could include its ShackMeister Ale and beers such as Brooklyn Pilsner and Estrella Galicia. UK restaurants also sell wines.
You can comment on the application by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is Sunday, March 15.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
