Reading Roars!

I mentioned in a previous post last week’s Reading Borough Council Scrutiny Panel meeting with First Great Western and Network Rail.  I have to do the right thing and confess that I wasn’t present on the occasion, simply because I work in London and wasn’t able to get back to Reading in time (my fault, not the trains).

I’m disappointed with myself, despite sharing my thoughts on the trains prior to the meeting with the indefatigable Cllr Daisy Benson, who impressed me during the first scrutiny of FGW’s performance a year ago. 

From what I’ve read and heard, the meeting went well, with highlights as follows:

• FGW plan to add 80 extra seats to 54 trains to cut overcrowding
• FGW plan a £4m staff development programme
• the creation of a Reading rail user group was suggested to improve dialogue between customers and FGW (this was proposed, as I understand it, by Cllr Gareth Epps).  Count me in.
• FGW plan the introduction of more recycling facilities at Reading and Old Oak Common depots (in response to a question by Daisy)

More on these actions can be read in the following accounts of the meeting:

• Holding FGW to account: one year on (Daisy Benson)
• Rail services ‘back on track’ says FGW boss (getreading)

A new Workhouse Coffee is in the works.  The new-look cafe will look like this (according to WHC’s Eva Marie Fels):

• Will have a completely new flooring system.
• All new espresso machines including a unit being built in Italy right now that is not for market release until 2010.
• Look even less than it already does like a shop and even more like a coffee house/people space.
• Seating for people not in groups at the counter
• better storage/display of beans.
• increase cleaning zones and work area separation for health and safety.
• infrastructure for future growth and change (such as built in cabling for record/CD players etc and digital display zone)
• An work area in the shop that the volunteers that we support can take ownership of.

I’m looking forward to the end result.  I hope they keep the map…

A local UI designer, Ros Horner, reached out to me recently, saying that Reading’s Zerodegrees had won a CAMRA Pub Design Award in the new build category. 

Ros observed in her blog post:

It goes to show that Real Ale doesn’t have to be all beardy old beer bellies and horse brasses. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) Zero degrees is getting younger people into drinking real beer, and probably stopping a good few chemically lager fueled fights on the streets of Reading!

I’m not a design expert, as you might have gathered by looking at this blog, but Zerodegrees does seem to have made a rather striking impression (though not to everyone’s taste, as I understand it) and indeed they have succeeded in giving Pale Ale a fashionable makeover.   Well done Zerodegrees!

Last night, I was fortunate enough to experience the Las Iguanas launch party, held at their new Reading restaurant at The Oracle Riverside.  This was my first Las Iguanas (Spanish for “The Iguanas”) visit, although I’ve had a peek inside two of their other restaurants, in Brighton and on London’s South Bank.

I’m grateful to Lucy Harwood, Las Iguanas Marketing Manager, who responded to my Twitter request to attend the party (after I read about the getreading prize draw).  I explained that I was a keen local blogger (as I am) and the invitation promptly landed in my inbox.  Top marks.

There was initial confusion at the door, however, when I turned up just after 9.  After I was asked by the lady with the clipboard which company I was with, I said that I represented myself (which was true).  This raised eyebrows.  I added that I was a “local blogger”.  This led to some hesitation.  Eventually I was admitted into the bar.

After scanning the crowd (and not recognising anyone), I headed straight to the bar (as I normally do).  Waiting to be served, by attention was drawn to screens above the bar, showing Carnaval scenes from the famous Sambódromo in Rio de Janeiro.  My thoughts immediately turned to Brazil, a country I’m closely connected to for reasons I’m not explaining here.

I ordered a caipirinha.  It was fine.  I surveyed the crowd again and plunged right in.

The chaps, most of them anyway, were drinking beer.  The ladies were drinking mojitos and other cocktails.  A familiar scene.  A number were enjoying nibbles.  Staff moved around clinically, busily clearing empty glasses and bottles throughout the evening. 

I ordered another drink, Cusqueña (there was also Negra Modelo, a Mexican brand, in the fridge).  This was paid for by the lady standing beside me at the bar, so whoever you are, thank you again. 

A Michael Jackson track was played as I stood, observed and listened a while longer.  I flicked what looked like an intricate paper lantern above my head, as I like playing with things (indeed, Las Iguanas has a number of interesting design features), and then I left to enjoy the warm outdoors.

The verdict after last night:

• Las Iguanas is a good drinks venue (and should also appeal to Reading’s growing army of salsa lovers)
• it is also an attractive “entry level” Latin American experience, if that makes sense, that incorporates elements from different cultures in the region.  The Cuban mojito and Brazilian caipirinha might become as familiar as G&T and Pimms to the average Oracle shopper.  Or perhaps a number of Oracle visitors have been to destinations like Cuba, Dominican Rep. and Mexico already, and want more of the same
• Las Iguanas get a gold star for social media engagement (it’s also worth noting that a Facebook fan page has been set up for Las Iguanas - Reading).  Other businesses planning similar events might want to consider inviting online influencers if they’re looking to spread word of mouth.

The next Las Iguanas test will be their food.  Having enjoyed authentic Brazilian cuisine, I’m keen to compare, and I’m curious to know what their Mexican street food is like (Wahaca is the UK benchmark for me).