Reading Borough Council Lists The Retreat Pub as Asset

The Retreat on St John’s Street, has now been placed on the town’s register of community assets, following representations made by a local CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) branch.

The Retreat is located in Reading’s oldest Conservation Area. Among the reasons made by the CAMRA branch in its application to list the pub are that it plays an important part in the town’s music and arts scene, with a regular and wide range of concerts, and the fact that Reading artists use the walls of the back bar to host regular exhibitions and installations. The pub has also regularly hosted the Reading Experimental Film Festival as part of the Whitley Arts Festival.

CAMRA also pointed towards the pub’s role as a important location for charity and community events. These include a Burns Night supper, an annual summer street party to celebrate St John’s Day and annual competitions for the best mince pie and pickled onion, which the family of actress Kate Winslet take part in every year.

A current list of Reading’s assets of community value is listed here: http://www.reading.gov.uk/council/list-assets-community-value/