ONE of the oldest pubs in Reading is set to be given a new lease of life as renovation plans have been approved.
The Sun Inn in Castle Street in the town centre dates back to the 17th century according to Historic England. However, it has been closed for nearly 18 months.
Now, new owners are set to breathe new life into the historic inn, which contains cellars thought to have once been part of Reading Old Gaol.
Plans include adding an extension to create a new trade kitchen with extraction fans installed on the roof.
The project will remove the car park and replacing it with a timber pergola and outdoor seating booths.
Reading Borough Council approved plans for six tables located under the pergola and six garden booths, with 14 uncovered tables.
Walsingham Planning, the agents for the applicants, saod there are a number of on-street car parking spaces and multi-storey car parks in the town centre.
“The external proposals would bring the previous car park into more effective use and would result in a positive change to an area that is presently neglected,” they said.
The changes for the pub were approved by Reading Borough Council’s planning department in a letter sent on Friday, October 20.
The Sun will be run by The Brasserie Bar Company, part of the Heartwood Collection of restaurants founded by renowned chef and hotelier Raymond Blanc.
The pub in Castle Street was sold ‘subject to planning’ in the summer, and it is understood it will become a Brasserie Blanc restaurant, which is known for its ‘farm and grill’ food, steak nights and collection of fine wines, beers, cocktails and spirits.
There are currently 14 Brasserie Blanc restaurants in England, with locations in Beaconsfield, Oxford and London, among other towns and cities.
The approved application can be found on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal. Search for reference 230709.
