ONE of Reading’s oldest pubs could have new rooms added to it if its owner’s plan is given the go-ahead.
The Butler, near the town centre, dates back to the early 1800s, when it was called the Baker’s Arms. By 1830, it was purchased by the Butler family and thereafter it became known as the Butler’s Wine Vaults.
The pub was designated Grade II-listed owing to its 200-plus year presence and unique frontage.
Now, owner Steven Stanton wants to redevelop the site to attach a 19-room hotel to the site.
Each room would have a double bedroom, with plans showing four car parking spaces at ground level.
Work would involve the demolition of existing outbuildings containing a tyre fitting business and part of the pub itself to clear the way for an extension to the rear of the building.
Mr Stanton’s planning agent Charlie Biss said: “[It will] remove the unsightly and dirty remnants of the previous tyre bay operation, regenerate the existing tired and dilapidated building stock and develop the existing building (in a way) that is complimentary to the current pub.
“This will in turn make a significantly better use of the building in the public realm.
“Its street scene and foreground will be improved significantly.”
Designs show changes to the front elevation of the pub with a three-storey extension, with proposed hotel rooms overlooking Chatham Street.
Approval of the hotel would mean that there would be a total of 12 staff on the site, an increase from the current five. The lodgings would require five full-time and two part-time staff to operate.
Summarising the plan, Mr Bliss said: “The client’s desire and motivation is to convert the old dilapidated existing outbuildings into a small-scale locally-run hotel which, in turn, will help to reinstate ‘The Butler’ to its former glory, contribute to the local economy and improve the local streetscape along both Chatham Road and Eaton Place.”
The application can be seen by searching Reading Borough Council’s planning website for reference 230558.
