Stormy Pub Company takes on fourth site

Stormy Pub Company, run by Dave Kesterton and Jason Walters, has taken on The Gateway in Reading, bringing its Berkshire estate to four pubs.  

The Gateway is Stormy's second leasehold with Heineken-owned Star Pubs, joining The Victoria in Tilehurst, another Star lease, and a further two leaseholds The Foresters Arms in Reading and The Mill House in Thatcham. 

Kesterton and Walters have told Pub & Bar they plan to grow their estate to 10 sites in the next three years and are looking at community or wet-led pubs within a 15-mile radius of Reading that would fit with their existing model. 

“There are lots of bars in Reading but no premium pubs," says Kesterton. "We want to offer residents, commuters and shoppers something different to what’s already available in Reading, a more premium experience."

Time to invest 

The company is currently undertaking a joint £200,000 refurbishment of The Gateway with Star Pubs to transform it into a premium town centre local under its previous name, The Railway Tavern.  

The Railway Tavern is being completely overhauled inside and out and will have the look and feel of a classic London city pub with a bar, lounge and entertainment areas. 

"The Railway Tavern is in a great location near the station and is also well placed to benefit from the Station Hill Development in progress opposite which is creating a substantial office, leisure and residential space," adds Star Pubs BDM Andrew Downie.

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