The Oracle in Reading continues to strengthen its dining offer with the addition of Argentinean-inspired steak restaurant CAU, and British cookie brand Ben’s Cookies. The Oracle’s restaurant and leisure venue, The Riverside, is already home to an impressive line-up of 21 cafés and restaurants including Strada, Jamie’s Italian and Wagamama, ans well as a 10-screen Vue cinema.
Hammerson, owner and manager of The Oracle, has secured both brands for their first locations in Reading.
Inspired by the vibrancy of Buenos Aires, CAU offers steaks, burgers and sharing platters, and will take a 300m² (3,220ft²) restaurant, the first in a UK shopping centre and a new addition to Hammerson’s portfolio. The restaurant will be located at the Holybrook entrance to the scheme in a new two-story glass and timber building which has recently been granted planning approval, and will sit adjacent to aspirational brands such as Hugo Boss. The new restaurant is due to open in Spring 2015.
Ben’s Cookies will open its first unit in Reading at the Oracle in the autumn. The brand, which was founded in Oxford in 1984, will take a 220 sq ft (20 sq m) store on the entrance to The Oracle on Broad Street, Reading’s high street. The new store will offer the brand’s full range of freshly baked cookies and sweet treats and is an excellent addition to the centre’s grab and go offer.
Chris Daly, Leasing Executive at Hammerson, commented: “The Oracle’s loyal catchment and strong footfall will provide a great platform for these brands to introduce their offer to Reading. Cau is a fantastic niche letting for us and we are confident that they will make a great addition to the existing dining offer at the Oracle and offer something new to consumers.”
Charley Springall at CAU commented, “We are very excited to become part of what is already a buzzing retail and restaurant destination. Hammerson is creating an unusual and unique space exclusively for CAU and we can’t wait to get in!”