Fears that a popular global buffet restaurant in Reading town centre may have to leave have been raised over a plan to build 103 flats in Friar Street.

Earlier this year, developers the Shaviram Group unveiled a plan to replace 35-39 Friar Street with an apartment building.

Shaviram Group have stated that its plan for 103 flats would be the final piece of the  ‘jigsaw puzzle’ created by the massive Station Hill development, providing sustainable affordable homes and rooftop gardens for future occupants to enjoy.

But diners in Reading have raised fears that Cosmo, one of the town’s only buffet restaurants, would have to relocate.

Indeed, the current building Cosmo is in would be replaced, meaning the chain restaurant would have to close.

READ MORE: Cosmo in Reading town centre could be replaced with 103 flats 

Concerns about the future of Cosmo in Reading were raised at a virtual consultation event held by the development team, who presented the proposals and held a Q&A session.

During the session, Peter Robinson asked: “What’s the deal with Cosmo? Seems odd to plan for them to come back two years later when they could just relocate elsewhere.

Keith Mapingire, a representative for the developers, said: “We have an existing agreement with Cosmo to reprovide them the space within our site.

“They love being in this location, they want to stay, so we’re happy to accommodate them.”

As well as a replacement restaurant unit for Cosmo to occupy, the building would also have smaller units for other food businesses and a residential ‘co-working space’.

But that wasn’t the only issue on peoples’ minds.

Richard Bennett from Reading Civic Society, questioned the need for a child’s play area located on the seventh floor of the building, as only six per cent of the apartments would have three bedrooms suitable for families.

Of the rest, 40 per cent would be one-bedroom, and 54 per cent would have two-bedrooms.

Mr Bennett asked: “With just six per cent three bedroom flats and yet there is a play area for children, are the flats child friendly, and how would you make the development child friendly?”

Stefan Shaw, the architect for the scheme, replied that there would be no steps in the rooms and communal spaces, eliminating trip hazards for children.

READ MORE: Huge plan to redevelop Reading retail park unveiled 

Mr Shaw added: “This is a dense, urban environment. The child yield of an area such as this is going to be significantly lower than would have been found in suburban environments, and we expect the child yield to be lower.

“That said it’s going to provide wonderful facilities for the kids that do end up living there, and I for one would be delighted if when I was growing up I’d been given doorstep play and amenities such as this.”

You can view a video of the consultation here: 

Shaviram Group has not submitted a planning application for the proposal yet, but hope to in the near future and achieve approval for the development by the end of the year.