Closed pub in Reading could be brought back into use

The Horn at the junction of St Marys Butts and Castle Street closed three years ago after the company that rented it chose not to renew its lease.

When it was open, the pub was a traditional boozer and prided itself on showing sports on TV and being an official London Irish rugby supporters pub.

Since then, the premises have fallen into dilapidation, with dust and displaced wooden panelling visible from the ground floor windows.

The dilapidated interior of The Horn pub at St Marys Butts in Reading town centre, which has been closed since June 2021. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

But the pub could soon be brought back into use as a plan has been submitted to revitalise it.

A private applicant has applied to preserve the ground floor for hospitality use, while converting the first floor into three one-bed flats. 

READ MORE: One of the last ‘boozers’ in Reading left looking sad and empty after closure 

The ground floor would be refurbished and provide five areas for use as a bar or restaurant, a staff area which could be used as a kitchen, with two lavatories for women and one for men. 

The plan also identifies two other areas which could be used as a staff and kitchen area. 

Outside, there would be a garden and a covered area leading into the building. 

Upstairs, each of the one-bed flats would come with a double bed and kitchen and living facilities. 

The floor plan to convert the first floor of The Horn pub in St Marys Butts, Reading town centre into three one bed flats. (Image: Town Planning Design)

Two of these would come with ensuite bathrooms, with one having space for a shower toilet.

The Horn is Grade II listed as it dates back to the 16th century and has some notable period features, such as the timber framing. 

The applicant who submitted the plan had to provide a heritage statement to assess the impact the changes would have. 

Justifying the project, a planning agent from Smith Jenkins which conducted the heritage assessment concluded: "The application proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the Grade II listed Horn Inn through loss of some historic fabric and features and alteration of the floorplan. 

"However this would be outweighed by the significant heritage benefits of the scheme comprising conservation of the building, essential fabric and structural repairs and delivering a high quality refurbished building which will ensure the long-term survival of the heritage asset."

You can view the application in full by typing reference PL/24/1213 into the council's planning portal.

The Horn has been vacant since June 2021 when the company Star Pubs chose not to renew its lease with the property owner, Broadway Inns.

At the time of the closure, the pub was being sublet to landlady Sandra Bleek, who said it would be sad to see it closed, but added that her 'hands were tied' over its future.