£995k Reading village food-led pub seeks new ownership

The Swan, a well-established pub and restaurant in the attractive village of Three Mile Cross, Reading, has come to market through Christie & Co, with an asking price of £995k.

The Grade II-listed pub, which situated in a prominent roadside position, provides 62 internal covers across three trading areas. The pub maintains a good size commercial kitchen which leads through to ample dry storage, a large office and storage area, and the first floor offers owner’s accommodation with a large lounge and two bedrooms.

The substantial site also benefits from a rear trade garden for 70 covers with separate outside bar, a 0.6 acre parking area for 70 vehicles and a lawned area, which is currently underutilised and could be suitable for development, subject to planning consent.

Over the years, the building has been improved and well maintained but could now benefit from some modernisation and possibly an extension to the rear to allow further covers, subject to planning permission.

Ideally situated on the busy Basingstoke Road, the business retains loyal, local custom within the large and growing affluent local market. There is a high level of demand for family pubs in the community, providing a great opportunity for a new owner operator to take on the business or for an investor to run the pub under management.

Having owned and operated the pub since 1983, Vic Harrison, the oldest licensee in the area, is now looking forward to a well earned retirement. He commented, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 35 years at The Swan. The village has a wonderful community and the pub is at the heart of it, and I am sure that a new owner will be welcomed and supported in the same way that I have been over the years.”

Tim Widdows, Business Agent at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, added, “The Swan presents a superb opportunity to purchase a successful pub in a lovely location that enjoys a strong local following. With the addition of several thousand new houses being built in the local area, a new owner will be able to take advantage of the rapidly expanding village.”