A VENUE in Reading has announced it is to close only 6 months after coming under new management, due to being “economically unviable.”
The Narrowboat, a riverside pub in central Reading, has announced that March will be its last month as a public venue.
Fuller, Smith & Turner, the company which oversees the pub, has said that the site was not economically viable and instead intends to establish a hub for its Chef’s Guild.
The site, previously known as the Bel & Dragon, came under new management back in August last year, changing its name to The Narrowboat as it embraced its location at Blake’s Lock.
Managers said that the venue would “shift focus” to a more “stripped back” approach and make use of its unique features and location.
The venue also features a narrowboat which is moored alongside the building, which was once used as part of the historic biscuit manufacture in the area.
In September, co-manager Tristan Foley said that the venue’s proximity to the River Kennet led to some unusual methods of reaching it for some customers.
As well as unusual events, the venue has also had some customers arrive in unconventional ways, thanks to its location.
He explained then: “I didn’t even realise, originally, that you can just moor up to the dock, and I’ve seen quite a few people park up in their boats and come in for lunch.
“There’s not many venues that can do that, so I think we’re one of a special few where you can moor up to the pub–
“I couldn’t help myself but to take a picture when a couple and their dogs moored up to come for Sunday lunch over the weekend.”
Speaking about the closure announcement, a spokesperson for Fuller, Smith & Turner, said: “Despite repositioning the pub last year, the site is sadly currently economically unviable – a situation that we know will be compounded by the closure of the adjacent bridge–however, it is a great site and over time, the area will develop further.
“To that end, we have decided to close the site to the public from 31 March 2024 and utilise this great space to build a hub for our food team and our Chefs’ Guild.”
They explained: “This dedicated facility will benefit our teams, help us create and perfect amazing dishes for our menus and give us a fantastic centre to develop our chefs of the future.
“Customers will be able to see the benefits of this activity in The Three Guineas at Reading station, which is just a 10-minute walk away, and at pubs such as The Bull in nearby Sonning.”
They added: “We are sorry to disappoint those customers who have become valued regulars of The Narrowboat, but we firmly believe that this is the right course of action to take for the long-term success of the site.”
The Narrowboat is now set to close on Sunday, March 31.
More information about The Narrowboat is available via: narrowboatreading.co.uk
