Nathan's Nibbles opens in Caversham in memory of foodie brother after his death at 25

Food-lover Nathan Smith died aged 25 from muscular dystrophy in 2015 without ever owning the café he dreamed of starting.

Now sister Liza, 45, has opened Nathan’s Nibbles in Prospect Street, Caversham offering everything from ice cream to Nathan’s specialty - a roast dinner in a baguette.

“He would have been absolutely over the moon and so proud. He was this little Del Boy character and he loved different projects,” said Liza.

“He wanted a café, he loved his food, loved his homemade cakes and things like that. That’s why I named it after Nathan.”

Nathan Smith (Image: Liza Smith)

Nathan’s Nibbles first opened in London Street, Reading, four years ago but quickly closed due to a lack of footfall during the pandemic.

Liza moved the venture to Church Street before the landlord decided to redevelop building this year.

She said she was relieved Nathan’s memory now has a permanent home, with his likeness even branding the ice cream parlor.

“It’s been a long time and a lot of hard work,” she said, adding that the property in Prospect Street was a shell before she began developing it, lacking even plumbing and electricity.

The café opened on Tuesday to crowds of customers, and just in time for Halloween, Nathan’s favourite time of the year.

“He loved Halloween and bonfire night. We’d all get together at the farm and celebrate. We still do firework night together to celebrate Nathan,” said Liza.

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At eight years old, Nathan was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass and can eventually affect the heart or the muscles used for breathing, becoming life-threatening.

Liza described how close she and her eight brothers and sisters were and when they were told Nathan’s condition was terminal at such a young age, they did everything they could to help him live his life to the fullers.

“For 25 years we tried to do whatever he wanted to do. Mum made sure it was done. He was so close to all of us.”

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She continued: “Everything revolved around Nathan – if he wanted to go to London, it was ‘right, who is taking him?’”

When he passed away seven years ago, she said it was “really hard” for the family but they remain tight-knit.

“He always wanted a café sandwich shop so when he died I said to my mum, I’m going to name it after Nathan.”