Jacobs the Jewellers’ New Look
What a joy it has been to see so many of our local indies able to re-open after the tough months at the beginning of this year. Taking this re-opening to another level is long-standing independent, Jacobs the Jewellers who have undertaken a refurb during the down-time...
Christmas Gift Guide 2020
(Sings) "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?" Too soon? Ok, maybe it's a little early for Christmas songs for some people but it's definitely not too early to start thinking about how we can support our local businesses this Christmas. Within this post you will find...
Cocolico Patisserie
Hello again, friends! I recently caught up with the rather lovely Céline from Cocolico Patisserie; she specialises in plant-based French Patisserie, so please read on to learn more. Céline Céline arrived in the UK in 2016, following a prestigious career as a pastry...
Indie Shops Re-Opening
Hello again, folks! As you're no doubt aware, "non-essential" retailers have been given the green light to re-open their shops from Monday 15th June. Not all shops are opening on that date and not all will be open for the entirety of their pre-lockdown hours. Below...
New Business: Nic’s Bakery
Hello again! In keeping with the theme of understanding the impact of lockdown on local businesses, this week we meet Nicola of Nic's Bakery. Nic's Bakery is a business that has only come to fruition during lockdown, proving that where there's a will, there really is...
Indie Eats – March 2020!
In case you've not seen it on social media yet, the next Indie Eats event is scheduled for Thursday 26th March at the Castle Tap! Join us for some amazing food from four local traders and find your perfect beer pairing from the Castle Tap too! Let us know you're...
Wolseley St. Bakery
In case you haven't heard, there's a new bakery in town and it's been set up in such a way that it brings a taste of village life to our very own Reading. Meet Wolseley St. Bakery. Davy Bonte is the brains behind the operation and has over 20 years' experience in the...
Christmas Shopping 2019
Independent Reading’s guide to some fantastic Christmas markets supporting local producers in 2019.
Caversham
There was a time when Caversham was part of Oxfordshire rather than Berkshire. With its close proximity to Reading, the 'Ding of course became its natural home and we're lucky to count it as part of this wonderful town today. If you're new to the Reading area, you...
Crunch Comics: Free Comic Book Day
In case you've missed the hype on social media, this Saturday, 4th May (AKA Star Wars Day) is Free Comic Book Day (FCBD). This is a worldwide event which holds a special place in the comic calendar. The absolutely, wonderfully, stonking-good news is that our very own...
Crumb’s the Word
Welcome to IR's spring “A Day in the Life Of…” series. The first, fabulous entrepreneur that we’ll be spending a day in the life of is Lissy from Crumb’s the Word bakery. You may remember Crumb’s the Word from the IR Christmas gift guide but if not, they operate a...
Food Shopping
IR has put together a map of some of the places in the Reading area that sell a variety of food stuffs, to suit your every culinary fantasy!
Christmas Gift Guide
The excitement has just got too much and IR can't hold it in any more. Today, right here and now is the official launch of the IR Christmas Gift Guide 2018! Some truly fabulous businesses have contributed to the content and you'll find gifts from concrete tealight...
Artisan & Farmers Market
Hands up, who's been to a market recently? OK, so your hand's still up...who's been to a market in Caversham recently? I'm going to hedge a bet that there are few of you who think you have the market scene in Reading nailed but haven't actually been over to...
Bali Pop Up
Exciting news, people of Reading...we have a new pop-up shop! It's called Bali Pop Up and is in St. Martin's Precinct in Caversham. (That's the main shopping area in the middle of Caversham, for those of us who aren't so hot on official names.) Bali Pop Up has...
The Harris Arcade
How familiar are you with central Reading's oldest shopping centre? Do you even know where the Harris Arcade is? A surprising number of people don't. Situated in Friar Street, this is the town centre's grand-daddy of shopping malls, with a much richer history and...
Valentine’s Day
It's February and that means Valentine's Day is nearly upon us! Even if you aren't big into the day itself, we have so many fabulous local businesses on our doorstep, it's worth keeping a few ideas in your back pocket for the next time you want to treat someone, just...
True Food Co-op
Hello again, not long now until that much-needed January pay day! Continuing my theme of helping you do things a little differently in 2018, (if you so desire, it's not mandatory!) today I'm reminding you about a fabulous shop that's tucked away in Emmer Green. True...
h by Maia, Natural Skincare
Happy new year, everyone and welcome to 2018! I hope you all had a splendid festive break with friends and family and are ready to give this year everything you've got. In the spirit of usual new year activity, it's likely that a few of you are looking to make...
Fragrance Workshop at Humos
This is a Guest Post: This week's Independent Reading post comes from guest blogger, Tara Tunstall. She was invited down to Humos, the new aromatherapy fragrance bar in Caversham to try blending her own, signature scent. (You might remember their Joy reed diffuser...