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A new independent artisanal business is being sought to fill the space in the town centre left behind by The Grumpy Goat, which left loyal customers shocked and saddened when it announced its sudden closure last month.
For the last three years, unit number 7 in Union Street had been home to the popular bar and deli, winning praise from the community for its success as a small, independent business. But last month saw the deli’s owners announce that they had been given less than a fortnight’s notice to vacate the premises after failed negotiations with the unit’s owner over a new lease.
Now the firm representing the owner has said a new independent artisan business is being sought to rent out the space left behind by the Grumpy Goat.
Jenny Byrne, from management firm Howell Brooks, said: “We would rather see an artisanal sustainable business going into the unit. That would be our preference. When (the owner) bought that property, Union Street was full of small independent business and she wants to see that continue.”
Grumpy Goat co-owner Anne-Marie Beatty previously told BerkshireLive that she was concerned about the long-term decline of parts of the town centre, pointing to the high proportion of phone shops moving into Union Street. Despite the preference for renting to an independent business, the unit remained available to any viable business, according to the management agent.
Ms Byrne added: “We would consider any tenants that put themselves forward. We would consider against a wide backdrop of criteria – the strength of the business plan, whether its suitable for the unit.
“The owner’s preference is not to sell. My client will have to start paying business rates while the unit is empty. That should tell you this decision wasn’t taken lightly.”
Dismayed by The Grumpy Goat’s closure, Reading East MP Matt Rodda wrote to the minister for small businesses, calling on the government to do more to support small, independent businesses.
Meanwhile, Reading Borough Council told BerkshireLive that the entire Union Street area – known as ‘Smelly Alley’ to many locals – could benefit from regeneration.
No businesses had made an offer on renting or buying unit 7 in Union Street at the time of writing, according to Ms Byrne.
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