The Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurant at The Oracle Riverside have both suddenly closed this week.
Franco Manca, which specialised in sourdough pizza opened at the ground floor of the former Debenhams unit in June 2017.
The closure has been undertaken despite it receiving a 4/5 rating on TripAdvisor with the most recent review of the restaurant being posted just a week ago.
The Real Greek restaurant, which occupied the neighbouring unit also opened in 2017, has permanently closed as well.
It was known for serving up Greek meze, meat and fish platters.
The closures come amid major changes and redevelopment plans at The Oracle.
Last night (Wednesday, September 6) a plan was approved to divide the former Debenham unit both restaurants occupied into three separate units.
Debenhams was at The Oracle since its opening in 1999 but closed during the first lockdown in 2020 and never reopened.
The Debenhams unit was snapped up by Next Beauty & Home in December 2020 but closed down itself on August 12.
Reading Borough Council is also considering a plan to part demolish the former Debenhams and build a residential tower with 202 rental apartments.
You can view that application by typing reference 221916 into the council’s planning portal.
Franco Manca and The Real Greek were both identified as being at risk of closure as a result of that plan.
Businesses at risk north of the river include the Vue Cinema, Browns Brasserie, Cote Brasserie, Miller & Carter and TGI Fridays.
The nearest Franco Manca is located in Peascod Street, Windsor, and the nearest Real Greek is located at The Lexicon in Bracknell.