READING’S newest food and bar venue opened to the public last Saturday.
The hotly anticipated launch of Blue Collar Arena was well received on social media and saw queues forming for traders throughout the day.
Shipping containers have been converted into a bar and kitchens for the food village, which is inspired by similar ventures in Brixton and Shoreditch.
The arena features undercover seating and balcony area, and blankets and heaters are on hand to keep visitors — and their food — warm in the evenings.
Blue Collar’s yellow stairwell container and light up lettering are already a feature of the town centre.
Owner Glen Dinning said that he hopes the site will revive an area of Reading town centre which has been “neglected.”
“I hope that we add to the night-time economy as well,” Mr Dinning said.
“And during the Summer, we are planning to have more stalls in front of the container village.”
The public opening followed a soft launch to an invite-only crowd on Friday evening. It was attended by social media influencers and food bloggers as well as regulars at Blue Collar’s events over the past six years.
Blue Collar Arena on Hosier Street will open Thursdays to Sundays, 11am until late.
Vendors on site are Gurt Wings, Sarv’s Slice, The Taco Tree, You Bao and Urban Cheesecake. The bar serves a selection of craft beers from Tilehurst’s Double-Barrelled Brewery, including an exclusive lager.
The arena will run alongside the twice weekly pop-up market in Market Place, on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes.
