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The site of former town centre bar Brannigans may split into up to three new drinks venues.

The once-thriving boozer has stood empty at The Oracle Riverside since the end of June last year after being shut down by bailiffs for non-payment of rent.

But bosses at The Oracle have begun negotiations with a number of companies about taking on the vacant premises once the current lease expires on April 1.

Steve Belam, general manager of the shopping centre, said: “We are currently in discussion with a number of possible tenants for the vacant unit and are considering the possibility of splitting it into two or three separate units. At present no official agreements have been made so we are unable to make any announcements.”

The bar had been a prominent feature of The Riverside strip since it opened in 1999 but its popularity dwindled as The Oracle moved towards food-led establishments with the arrival of Wagamama, Pizza Express and ha ha bar & grill.

“The profile of The Riverside has changed significantly,” said Bill Donne, chairman of Reading PubWatch. “All the operators in The Oracle have changed their concept to become more food-led.

“In its heyday Brannigans was one of the busiest venues in Reading but with the ongoing competition and several changes of management, it seemed to lose its way. The market changed.

“People used to eat at home and go out to drink, now they drink at home and go out to eat.”

High rents and a sharp fall in consumer spending, coupled with the effects of the smoking ban, have hammered Reading’s night-time economy, with a long list of pubs and bars forced to turn off the pumps in recent months.

Herald Inns & Bars, the Chorley-based pub group which owns the Brannigans chain, recently cut loose 29 of its 70 outlets.

Mr Donne reckons the Brannigans site by the river will prove attractive to other pub operators.

“Brannigans is an appealing site but it is extremely large,” he said.

“It’s basically the size of three premises. If they divide it up into more manageable units, as I believe they are intending to do, then I think there are many operators out there who would be interested.

“I would like to see an operation with greater diversity and a better food offering take it on to encourage more visitors to come to The Oracle.

“I hope we will see a quality replacement.”