LOOK INSIDE: Reading pub to be brought back to life

The Coopers Arms used to occupy Market Place for hundreds of years just opposite St Laurence Church, bank buildings and Soane Point which contains a Tesco Express.

But the pub has been closed since 2010 due to a fall in custom and long-standing redevelopment plans.

Recently, developers Watercrown Bracknell Ltd won permission to revitalise the pub and create new shop space and apartments in the building it occupies.

Photos taken inside after its closure provide a real step back in time.

READ MORE: Historic pub due to be brought back to life in Reading weekly planning roundup  

The developers had unique access to the old pub which shows that it has fallen into disrepair.

Images taken show the bar with taps removed, but clear space for the variety of bottled beers, ciders and spirits staff sold.

Punters would have been able to drink in a cosy lounge area, and walked through part of the building with a higher ceiling to get to the toilets.

The entrance to the toilets and the high ceiling part of The Coopers Arms in Market Place, Reading town centre. Credit: Heritage Statement by Turley

The photos were taken as part of a Heritage Statement report written by planning agent Turley.

As well as providing a unique look inside the pub, Turley also provided evidence of the long history of 27-32 Market Place.

The building dates back to circa 1611, when it was featured in John Speed’s map of Reading.

The pub was previously run as Coopers Wine & Spirit Merchants, but the other parts of the building used to house businesses as well.

A photo from 1860 shows a tobacconist used to occupy building number 27, with the upstairs possibly being used as billiards rooms.

The Coopers Arms and the buildings at 27-32 Market Place, Reading in a photo from 1860. Credit: Heritage Statement provided by Turley

Watercrown Bracknell’s redevelopment project for  27-32 Market Place was approved by Reading Borough Council’s planning department on Tuesday, November 7.

The Turley planning agent argued that the project would provide a number of heritage benefits, such as: “Securing the viable reuse of the listed buildings on site (which are currently vacant and their conditions deteriorating) in the interests of their future conservation;

“Introducing a new mix of uses on site to provide animation, vitality and visual interest for the street scene and wider townscape; and

“Reinstatement of the front elevation of the former Coopers Arms closer to its original appearance.”

A view of the bar and ceiling of The Coopers Arms in Market Place, Reading town centre. Credit: Heritage Statement provided by Turley

All the photos were contained in a Heritage Statement which had to be submitted as 27-32 Market Place is Grade II listed, owing to the long history of the buildings.

The project also involves establishing two new retail units at either side of the Coopers Arms, and converting the upper floors to provide one three-bed flat, four will be one-bedroom flats and three two-bedrooms flats.

A kitchen and toilets for the pub will be provided at basement level.

You can view the approved scheme by typing reference numbers 220545 and 220546 into the council’s planning portal.