The long-term future of a popular Reading street food market is up in the air due to a major redevelopment.

Blue Collar Corner, on Hosier Street, will need to find a new venue as Reading Borough Council redevelops Minster Quarter.

Although the good news is the council has not announced any timescales for the project to start - and Blue Collar extended its lease with the authority back in January. 

The venue is able to remain on site until the land is required for development, the council has said.

Blue Collar remains very much open for business for the time being and it is understood talks remain ongoing between the council and the owners about safeguarding its future. 

The council has said that options for future relocation are being explored, but nothing is confirmed yet.

Blue Collar has been contacted for comment.

The redevelopment will be carried out by McLaren Living who landed the council’s contract to carry out the £250million project.

Dubbed ‘Minister Quarter Central’, the ambitious plans promise to deliver 600 new homes, more offices and a new town square.

The scheme also promises to deliver: 

  • Over 600 new homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes across a range of tenures, including affordable social rent and affordable private rent
  • 40,000 sq. m of new commercial space including new workspace, retail, food and beverage, and a 102-bed hotel, to help drive forward the local economy
  • New high-quality public spaces, including a new ‘Hexagon Square’ as a generous functional and attractive civic space, designed as a gateway to Reading’s iconic Hexagon Theatre and new Studio Theatre.
  • Generating a significant number of new local jobs post-construction and a brand-new community hub, providing a base from which to host a range of community activities

Blue Collar started in Reading in 2016. The popular street food market has had its own permanent base on Hosier Street since 2022 after it turned an abandoned yard into its new home.

Blue Collar Corner is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays while a weekly market is held every Wednesday and Friday in Market Place.

For more information, visit their website here.