Siren Craft Brew is to open taproom and restaurant at Station Hill, Reading, its first city centre venue.

The landmark Station Hill mixed-used development in Reading, which is being delivered by a joint venture between Lincoln Property Company (‘Lincoln’) and MGT Investment Management, has announced that local brewery, Siren Craft Brew, will become its first occupier when it opens its doors in May this year.

Station Hill will be home to the Berkshire-based brewery’s first taproom and restaurant with Siren signing a 15-year lease for a 3,800 sq ft space on Friars Walk. Siren Craft Brew will bring its excellent range of locally produced ales, porters, and lagers to the centre of Reading, serving the residential, business and mixed-use communities at Station Hill. 

Siren Craft Brew becomes the first food and beverage brand to commit to Station Hill, which will provide a diverse mix of cafés, bars and restaurants to those living and working in the centre of Reading, as well as those visiting the area. The opening of the taproom and restaurant – which also features outdoor seating – will coincide with the completion of the final phase of Ebb & Flow, the first Build-to-Rent residential element of Station Hill, providing almost 600 private and affordable homes.

With more than 30 lines of beer, including guest options from both local and international contributors, Siren Craft Brew aims to make its Station Hill taproom and restaurant a destination for beer lovers, but also to create an exceptional space that anyone can enjoy.

In addition, it will be a showcase for independent drinks producers of all kinds, offering exceptional wines, cocktails and low/no options. The business is investing in a highly-specced kitchen and building a talented team to serve up exciting, street-food-inspired dishes and creating jobs at all levels of hospitality experience.

Customers will be invited to get involved in the project through crowdfunder which will offer generous pre-paid bar tab opportunities along with other exclusive rewards.  

The team at Station Hill are now working towards securing further ground-floor retail/food and beverage leisure operators to complement the mixed-use scheme and are in talks with several occupiers looking to benefit from the site’s prime location and unique offering in the heart of Reading. 

Alex Aitchison, UK Managing Director for Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to welcome Siren Craft Brew as one of our first amenity offers at Station Hill. Their commitment to Reading mirrors our own and we are delighted to support a local hero as they look to grow their presence across Reading and the UK.

“2024 is an exciting year at Station Hill with the first phase of the Ebb & Flow Build-to-Rent residential community now open. We are also looking forward to the completion of the adjoining ONE Station Hill office workspace adjacent to the Station, which includes the new town square and two acres of public realm activated by further food, beverage and leisure amenity, creating a new, best-in-class destination for Reading.”

Darron Anley, Founder, Siren Craft Brew, said: “One of our all-time ambitions has been to open a flagship tap room in our home town of Reading, so it’s incredible to finally announce that we’re doing it. We’re committed to building something new and unique, while supporting the great work that other like-minded independent businesses have been doing for many years. Station Hill is the right venue, in the right place, at the right time, and we align with its ambition to bring a diverse and exciting offering to the town centre. We cannot wait to be pouring brewery-fresh pints from the new site this spring.”

Michael Webb, Director, Distrkt, said: “We are delighted that Siren Craft Brew is the first operator to sign up at Station Hill. This demonstrates the developer’s commitment to bring the best-in-class, independent local heroes to Reading town centre. Siren will help establish Station Hill as one of the most exciting places in Berkshire to work, live and play and the first of many exciting new names which are expected to be announced over the coming months that will provide a unique and interesting mix of innovative brands to complement the wider development.”