A PUB named after a leading stalwart of Reading’s heritage is to get a new look.
The Palmer Tavern on Wokingham Road was known as The College Arms until 2016, when owners Greene King refurbished the venue.
It included an all-grey frontage and a pub sign with a coat of arms.
This is to change, along with some enhancements to the large beer garden to the rear of the pub, which regularly hosts live music, quiz nights and pool tournaments.
The new sign will feature George Palmer, whose statue stands in Palmer Park.
The building would also get new two-tone grey paint.
In the garden, Greene King wants to install a new timber shelter in the garden, replace fencing and conduct paving works.
The Palmer family were Quakers, who founded Huntley & Palmers biscuit company in London Street in 1822, before building factory premises and homes in the Newtown area of Reading.
Taking advantage of the new railway station, the company expanded across the globe and gave Reading its reputation as being the Biscuit Town.
Among the family members was William Isaac Palmer who led by the the Help Myself Temperance Society, and established a temperance hall in West Street.
The applications can be seen by logging on to Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, search for references 231576 and 231523.
