A town centre pub in Reading has come under new ownership and has turned into an Irish-themed bar.
The Monk’s Retreat has been a staple pub at the meeting point of Friar Street and Market Place for many years.
It was previously a Wetherspoons before being turned into a Stonegate pub in 2017.
That year saw a renovation and the sale of the iconic ‘hanging monk’ figure that was an attraction at the Monks Retreat, but was sold off to raise money for a children’s hospice.
The pub has recently changed hands, going from a Stonegate managed pub to a leased management model.
Philipp Goerlach, the manager at the Monk’s Retreat, explained: “It’s a bit of both, we’re still part of Stonegate, the pub itself is leased to Dunning’s, which is an independent company.
“The changes took place in September.
“We’ve had a bit of a menu change, we’ve had some additions and a redecoration, we’ve got the bottom bar renovated and that should be open in a few weeks.
“That will be a cocktail bar, that’s been my idea.
“[Dunning’s] is a great company to work with, they are giving us more freedom with what we can do with drinks, as a manager, I will make sure everyone is having a good time, everyone is happy, that’s all that matters to me.”
Mr Gorleach has worked at the Monk’s Retreat for three and a half years.
He added: “It’s been a good experience.”
Menu items include burgers, steaks and grills, toasties, and pub favourites such as fish and chips, hunter’s chicken and chicken tikki masala.
There are two other Dunning’s bars, which are both in Watford.
The company was asked to provide a statement on taking over the Monk’s Retreat, but has not responded.
Dunning’s retains a licence to stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11pm the rest of the week.
Other Irish-themed bars in Friar Street include McCafferty’s, which replaced Wild Lime in July, and O’Neill’s, which reopened after an upgrade at the end of September.
News about the Monk’s Retreat comes as Stonegate continues to face difficulties after it announced a debt load of £2.2 billion in August 2024.
This month, the company announced its intention to sell more than 1,000 of its 4,300 venues.
Stonegate owns the Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout, Be At One and Popworld brands, all of which have a presence in Reading.
Stonegate also owns the Yates brand. The Yates at the Former Post Office in Friar Street was converted into Slug & Lettuce in May 2022.
The Dunning’s Bar company took over the former Walkabout in Watford last month.
Other pubs owned by Stonegate in Reading include The Boundary in St Mary’s Butts and The Lyndhurst in Watlington Street.
The Monk’s Retreat was the first Wetherspoon pub in Reading to close as part of a nationwide disposal of 45 pubs in May 2016.
It was followed by the closure of the Baron Cadgon pub in Caversham as a Wetherspoons in 2019.
The Baron Cadogan was taken over that same year by longstanding pub manager Darren Brett, who ran it until 2022.
It was turned into Clay’s Kitchen in February 2023. Mr Brett currently runs the Travellers Rest traditional pub in Henley Road, Caversham.
