A much-loved American family restaurant that has been serving up fries and cheeseburgers for more than 34 years is at risk of being knocked down to make way for flats.
The TGI Friday’s in Caversham Road first opened in August 1989, bringing its trademark, ribs, grilled meats, burgers, cocktails and more to fans of casual dining in the town.
It has stood in the town for more than three decades in Vastern Court, otherwise known as the Reading Station Shopping Park, and has seen many changes in that time.
But TGI Friday’s could now close and be demolished in coming years to make way for housing.
Aviva Life & Pensions UK, which owns the station park, has a plan to demolish TGIs and the big box stores on the site and replace them with 600 homes and new offices and retail space.
The other stores in the shopping park are contained in one large L-shaped building which is home to The Range, Majestic Wines, Aldi and the One Below discount store.
The plan for the site never got decided on by Reading Borough Council due to scheduling issues.
Aviva subsequently appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate against the council’s non-determination of its plan.
The appeal was launched in December 2021 but still hasn’t been decided on.
This month, the planning inspectorate dispatched a letter stating that a decision on the appeal will be made on or before Tuesday, November 21.
READ MORE: Reading plan to replace Aldi, TGI with 600 homes appeal decision due
You can view the application by typing reference 200328 into the council’s planning portal, and track the appeal progress on the planning inspectorate website using reference APP/E0345/W/21/3289748.
There is also a TGI Friday’s at The Oracle Riverside in the town centre, which opened in October 2015.
But this restaurant is also at risk as The Oracle’s management company Hammerson has submitted a plan to replace the eastern portion of the centre with 449 flats and new commercial leisure facilities.
READ MORE: Could Vue, TGI Friday's and other restaurants be knocked down? Here is what's planned
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked TGI Friday’s about its two branches which are threatened with closure.
A spokesperson for the restaurant chain said: “We are in dialogue with all parties involved in this matter, and will ensure our teams and guests are kept updated accordingly.”
The TGI Friday’s in The Oracle is one of four existing restaurants that are at risk of closure due to Hammerson’s redevelopment plans.
The Miller & Carter Steakhouse, Browns Brasserie & bar and the Cote Brasserie and the Vue Cinema are also at risk, as they are contained within a building which Hammerson wants to demolish.
That would clear the way for a new 247 apartment tower with a new cinema and singular restaurant bar unit at ground level.
You can view the plan for the cinema and restaurants building by typing reference 221917 into the council’s planning portal.
On the opposite side of the river, Hammerson have applied to part demolish the former Debenhams unit and replace it with 202 apartments leisure and a restaurant, leisure unit and co-working office space (planning reference 221916).
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