Food market Blue Collar Street Food are appealing to foodies and football fans alike this weekend.

As well as the usual value for money grub on offer, the vendors are providing special offers for those due to attend the Reading FC vs. Luton Town match on Saturday.

The Championship fixture was cancelled due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Royals’ camp, and has left more than 20,000 ticket holders with more time on their Saturday afternoon.

The match was due to be a 150th anniversary celebration, with the ground nearly at capacity, however this has been rescheduled until February.

Blue Collar, situated in Market Place, are running a ‘Winter Weekend’ event and Reading fans have plenty of deals to take advantage of.

Upon showing a Reading FC shirt, season ticket or membership card, visitors will be entitled to 10% off at the bar.

Similar deals include free rosemary fries with every burger ordered at Meat Juice and two extra chicken wings or chicken strips at Gurt Wings when you buy a meal.

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Blue COllar Street Food advert

Blue Collar founder, Glen Dinning, cannot thank Reading supporters enough for their support since starting up in 2016, especially when they provided food outside the Select Car Leasing Stadium before the pandemic.

He said: “We’re Reading FC season ticket holders so we’ve always had an affinity with the club.

“Through doing the catering we got to know the fans more, but the link between Blue Collar and the football club was always there.

“We happened to be running a Christmas market this weekend and it felt like the right thing, and a nice thing, to do.

“It’s my club, I love the club and we’ve always had a brilliant relationship with the supporters, who were unbelievable when we were outside the ground.

“It’s nice to be able to do something and reconnect with those supporters again.”

With Christmas fast approaching, and the gloomy news of the coronavirus omicron variant spreading rapidly, Mr Dinning thinks it is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the festivities, but safely.

He continued: “It’s a time where we’re hearing a lot about covid but it’s a time where people can still go out and support local businesses, the hospitality industry and can do it in a safe way.

“We’re outside, people can keep their distance, it’s a safe way for people to enjoy themselves over the Christmas period and support small, Reading-based businesses.”

So, what can you expect?

“We’ve got 10 different street food venders, with everything from gourmet burgers, chicken wings, pizza, Jamaican jerk chicken.

“There’s always food for everyone.

“We’ve got a bar selling Double-Barrelled beer, a DJ playing music throughout the day, a massive Christmas tree provided by a local florist and other decorations so it’s a real feel-good event.

“It’s nice to have a feel-good event at this time of year but done in a safe way.”

Reading Chronicle:

Above: What to expect at Blue Collar Street Food this weekend

 

You can find the market at Market Place on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am-late.

Find out more at www.bluecollarstreetfood.co.uk