A convenience store has been completely demolished to make way for a project that will transform a busy corner of Reading town centre for good.
The Reading Food and Wine store has stood at 146 Friar Street for years selling confectionery, snacks, drinks and alcohol to shoppers.
But now the building it occupied has been completely demolished to clear the way for the massive Queen Victoria Street development.
The project by Thackeray Estates involves transforming the buildings at the corner of Queen Victoria Street and Friar Street into 107 short-stay apartments, a 163-bed hotel and new retail facilities.
The demolition of the store leaves a gap between the rear of WH Smith and 147 Friar Street.
A plan for the demolition of the rear of the building was approved by Reading Borough Council in November 2023.
A report by planning officer Jonathan Markwell repeatedly states that the demolition of the convenience store had been ‘omitted’ from the project he assessed.
However, it is understood that the demolition of 146 Friar Street was reincorporated into the project when plans were adjusted last year and approved in July.
A planning agent from Falconer Chester Hall wrote: “No 146 Friar Street is unlisted and has been altered beyond recognition and has no architectural value.
“In town-scape terms, whilst it follows the rhythm of the street frontage, its scale appears to be disproportionately smaller.
“The modern shop-front further detracts from the contribution to the setting
of the listed buildings and wider the town-scape of the area.
“The proposal to rebuild it to a more appropriate scale whilst adhering to the modesty in architectural detailing would ensure that the character and appearance of the listed buildings continues to be distinctive.”
The approved project will see 146 Friar Street rebuilt, totalling three storeys at street level, with a rear extension providing an additional storey.
The new building will feature a retail unit on the ground floor, with short-stay apartments contained in the upper floors.
It is unclear what the future of the closed convenience store business will be.
Pal Singh Chopra, who owned Reading Food and Wine, submitted a licensing application to sell alcohol off the premises from 7am to 11pm each day from 150 Friar Street in December 2023.
The address is currently occupied by You Me Sushi, which has been there since 2022.
It is uncertain whether Mr Singh Chopra will take the unit over instead. You Me Sushi does not sell alcohol according to its website.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has attempted to contact the sushi takeaway for more information.
The demolished convenience store in Friar Street was previously occupied by Specsavers in 2009.
