ONE OF Reading’s culinary and cultural hotspots celebrated its first year of calling the corner home last week.
Blue Collar Corner marked the first anniversary of moving to Hosier Street, behind the Broad Street Mall, with a four-day extravaganza of events and fixtures.
The venue saw live music, DJ sets, sports screenings, and markets, as well as the launch of a special edition beer.
Blue Collar’s Pete Wheeler said: “We had the DJs back for feel-good Thursdays, and we had the birthday beer, Birthday on the Corner, available for the first time.
“It’s absolutely delicious, and there’s still some left if anybody hasn’t had a chance to try it yet.”
The Showhawk Duo performed on the Thursday, and Mr Wheeler said: “They played covers of 90’s rave anthems on acoustic guitars, and that went down really well- it was a lot of fun.
“They’re a real festival band and that’s exactly what we wanted for a real party atmosphere.”
Speaking of the closing show, he said: “We finished it all off on Sunday with a Launchpad fundraiser with Third Lung, who brought some bands along with them for acoustic sets.
“It was our biggest line-up so far on our new stage, and it was such a nice atmosphere, and obviously it raised money for one of our partner charities.
“Being able to do that really added to the occasion.”
Looking to the future, Mr Wheeler said: “We’re really just scratching the surface: we have drag brunch coming up, our first vintage flea market, and we’re also holding the British Street Food Awards here next month.
“We’re showing the Euro qualifiers, as well as more live music, DJs, in conversation events- we’ll be carrying on with a variety of events as the sun starts to shine a little more.”
For full details about Blue Collar Corner’s food and drink offerings, as well its upcoming shows and events, visit: bluecollarstreetfood.co.uk
