A pub at the heart of the community in Reading is back open under new management.
The Lyndhurst in Watlington Street reopened on Tuesday, August 25, after around two months of closure following the departure of the previous landlord.
The new landlord, Stephen Williams, has taken over the running of the pub under an agreement with the owning company, Stonegate.
The lineup of beers has largely been retained, with staff also serving up Brett’s Burgers, a much-lauded former English chain, steak, fish and chips and sides.
Speaking on the opening day, Mr Williams said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to actually see all these young people and locals.
“We are doing Brett’s Burgers, which were famous in the 80s in Reading, which used to be in Friar Street.
“It’s great the support we’ve got from all these people who live within two, three, four, five minutes’ walk. I’m trying to talk to everyone, which is becoming quite difficult.
“And what is lovely is that they’re all in the community. They’re nearby. They want to see it.
“And look, all pubs need support from their community. Hence why we’ve installed these bar stalls at the bar.
“We want people to come in, say have a half, have a drink with us and then go home or whatever it may be.
“That’s what we need, and that’s what all pubs need.
“It’s not just me, this industry is on its knees, and I mean on its knees, and I’ve got six or seven pubs.
“We need the 10 per cent VAT relief desperately.
“That is absolutely paramount to the survival of this industry.
“Otherwise you will find all these little local pubs, apart from the ones that are owned by the Stonegates, your Wetherspoons, your big multinationals, they’ll just disappear.
“So we need the support of locals and to get that community spirit, quiz nights for example, all the things that bring the community together, and that’s what we’re about.
“I’m lucky, I’ve got some good, great staff, and it’s all about staff. They don’t see me, they’ll never see me, hardly ever.
“But the customers will see these guys, and they’re the people that make a pub.
“I keep saying to them, it’s your pub, not mine.
“So that’s what we want, people to come back because they want to say hi to their friends and neighbours, and eat our great food. That’s what we need.”
The Lyndhurst is located in an area affectionately called ‘The Village’ made up of three pubs, alongside The Retreat in St John’s Street and Sip ‘n’ Spin in Eldon Terrace.
This is the fourth change of landlord since the departure of Dishon Vas and Sheldon Fernandez in May 2024, who had built a reputation for turning it into a highly rated gastropub.
Mr Williams is also in charge of The Fox Inn at Boars Hill, The Plough in Witney, The Chequers in Weston-on-the-Green and The Talkhouse in Stanton St John, which are all in Oxfordshire.
It is also understood that he is taking over the New Inn in Witney and The Thirsty Bear near The Lyndhurst through agreements with Star Pubs.
