Business

Mark Walton, president of Wokingham Chamber of Commerce, believes a new restaurant in the former home of Lloyds bank could boost trade
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New restaurant could improve trade, say chamber

By Jon Nurse
March 21, 2013

A business expert is calming cynicism surrounding Lloyds TSB’s 150-metre move across the town as the former Broad Street bank is stripped to become a new restaurant.

Many shoppers weren’t enthusiastic about another restaurant opening in town centre, but Mark Walton, president of Wokingham Chamber of Commerce, believes the addition could improve trade.

Mr Walton said: “There is an argument to be said that another restaurant coming in would drive up quality.Everyone would have to work harder to sell their coffee or spaghetti and you will not find people complaining when the quality goes up.”

Workmen have been clearing the bank this week, while Warrant Investments waits on the fate of a planning application for a new Georgian-style window shopfront.

“People shouldn’t be worrying about another restaurant coming in but the quality it will offer,” said Mr Walton.

He added. “If the quality of a new unit goes down then the quality of the street goes down. Branding is a particularly important for Wokingham. The feel of a historic market town is what we want to maintain.”

Patricia Way, 77, of Finchampstead, said: “I think it would be ridiculous.

“We have so many restaurants in Wokingham that no town could beat us for the size of it. I counted them the other day and I reached 19 in just two parts of the town.”

Planning permission was granted in November for the Broad Street building to be used as a restaurant and cafe.

The development would also include two first floor flats and a rear extension for a further two flats with parking.

The Lloyds TSB branch is due to reopen at its new home in Denmark Street at 9.30am today.

Staff have been issuing leaflets for the last few weeks detailing the timing and relocation of the move, directing customers to the Bracknell and Woodley branches during the temporary closure.

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There are many types of restuarant that would be a welcome addition to the Wokingham eating environment. Japanese, Greek, or a proper Tapas establishment for example.

PoneRana, Wokingham
23/03/2013 at 11:50

I like the little Italians too (though I must admit I never got round to trying Sapori, though I liked Sorrentos). I wish Rossini would change its menu occasionally - it's been exactly the same for the 20 years I've lived in Wokingham.

Hazel, Wokingham
22/03/2013 at 10:58

Stig2 - snap! It does look good actually. Shame the current building has been left to look so shabby (and apparently rotting away / structurally in a poor state).

alex_f, Wokingham
22/03/2013 at 10:43

Hi Hazel, Yes it is sorrentos renamed sapori a regular of mine. Gr8 food but at the wrong end of town to be sustainable. I much prefer this type of italian rather than the chains (prezzos etcl) but I'm probably in a minority. It is now going to be redeveloped into apartments with one commercial unit. The plans will make this building more attractive.

Stig2, Wokingham
22/03/2013 at 10:22

Hi Hazel,

Saporis / Sorrentos is going to be demolished soon - a planning application has been submitted to replace this building with flats and a retail unit on the ground floor. If you search for F/2013/0195 on the Wokingham planning portal, there is a document there with how it will look.

I'd really love either a Spanish or Greek too.

alex_f, Wokingham
22/03/2013 at 10:18

I'm crossing my fingers for Spanish or Greek (though of course there was a Spanish restaurant near Blockbusters, which didn't last long).

Which is the little Italian that's closing? Is it the place that took over from Sorrentos down past Teak House?

Hazel, Wokingham
22/03/2013 at 09:11

Stig2 - good one, I often go to Miller and Carter in Reading. The service is fantastic, and the burgers, steaks and ribs are great. I wouldn't be disappointed to see M&C in Wokingham.

alex_f, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 21:59

I agree with the comments below supporting the need for a high quality restaurant. Whether it be a large chinese (perhaps with some entertainment), an up market steak style restaurant such as Miller & Carter or Browns. Ps I also enjoy the food at the Szechuan restaurant in Bean Oak and go there regularly. Highly recommended.

Stig2, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 20:14

But didn't it taste just so good? ;) Makes a boring day at work worthwhile.

alex_f, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 13:49

I count it as your fault that after reading your posts I had to go to The Teak House for their excellent value lunch menu.

mavdo, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 13:46

@mavdo - haha me too - I've been on one for about 4 years, and gained weight in that period ;) Needless to say my restaurant and takeaway 'experience' in Wokingham hasn't helped ;)

alex_f, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 12:30

@alex_f - and you know that I'm on a diet, and all this talk of food is extremely painful :)

mavdo, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 12:19

@mavdo - yep I agree the BeanOak one is an extremely good 'non-traditional' Chinese (I guess you would know why I might say that, you knowing who I actually am!). I couldn't fault it, and have taken my family there a number of times. I haven't tried a takeaway from them, but must do so. I must finally try the Teak House and Pad Thai too (I love Thai food, only my other half is not so keen on it).

Poblanos was a takeaway / small cafe, though it wasn't in the town centre. It was in Emmbrook I think. I'm no expert in Mexican food so it may not have been exceptional, but I loved it, really good portions, and it was a nice change to the usual in the town centre.

(sorry didn't mean to sound like the 'know it all' of food in Wokingham ;) just you know I like my food - far far too much...)

alex_f, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 12:07

D'oh, I forgot Zizzis. I wasn't counting BeanOak as the town centre, but the Chinese there is brilliant. It's expensive, but I now won't go anywhere else for takeaway or eat in. Last time I ate from one of our Chinese takeaways, I was seriously ill. I won't say which, because that could be libelous or something. Personally I like the Teak House. I've never been to Pad Thai, but my finacee says it's gorgeous. I don't remember Poblanos. Where was that?

I too have eaten in and/or from most places, except kebab style take-outs. But I've been here about 7 years, many of which I was single, so I've had time to do so :)

mavdo, Wokingham
21/03/2013 at 11:55

PoneRana - I do think that is a good idea and i think you mentioned it in the past. If hours were for example 11 till 7 or 8, they would catch people coming from work or people heading out for food. There could really be a nice buzz in the town centre if this happened.