The Bluegrass BBQ was a small chain of restaurants in Reading, High Wycombe and Windsor that had been in the food business for more than 10 years.
Starting out with its first location in High Wycombe circa 2013, Bluegrass spread to Gun Street, Reading in December 2015 and opposite Windsor Castle in March 2018.
However, Bluegrass has officially closed with the business being wound up according to Companies House on Monday, January 27.
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Members of the public have been reacting to the sudden closure of the three restaurants on Facebook.
Robert Hellier said: “It’s a shame, it was a good burger restaurant but it got too expensive.”
Theresa Downes, another diner, said: “Oh I went once and liked it – but never got round to going back.”
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Meanwhile, Andy Sledge lamented: “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Best pancakes ever. They were the best pancakes you could get.”
Bluegrass BBQ in Reading phased out its breakfast menu during weekdays, only providing it on weekends.
A pork pancake stack was also sold for £15 throughout the day in Reading, made up of pulled pork, sausages and bacon with warm maple syrup.
The pork pancake stack served with pulled pork, sausages, bacon and warm maple syrup at the Bluegrass BBQ in Reading. (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)
The restaurants stocked beer from local breweries, had weekday lunch deals and launched ‘state specials’ which changed each month to entice diners.
Bluegrass BBQ also provided ‘Big 4’ Specials offers for burgers on Mondays, ribs on Tuesdays, wings on Wednesdays and loaded fries baskets on Thursdays.
Gem Alexander Clough commented: “Ugh… that’s another decent place gone.”
Danny Peacock suggested the Labour government’s working reforms could lead to many restaurants closing in the near future.
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Story here on our latest flash sale 👉 https://t.co/2ARiylBD0H pic.twitter.com/GKUS0nY5jP— Reading Chronicle (@rdgchronicle) February 6, 2025
Work reforms include an increase in the minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions.
Mr Peacock said: “First of many restaurants to close under the Labour Party.
“Roll on the May elections….”
However, Jane Smith replied: “Restaurants open and close regularly. It happens under all governments.”
None of the six Berkshire councils will be having elections this year.
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The minimum wage and national insurance contributions increase come into effect this April.
The UK Hospitality trade association had warned that an increase in national insurance contributions would ‘unquestionably lead to business closures and job losses’ in an open letter to chancellor Rachel Reeves last November.
The closure of Bluegrass BBQ follows the closure of the Blue’s Smokehouse restaurant in Newbury in October 2023.
Blue’s Smokehouse retains its restaurant at the former Red Lion pub in High Street, Bracknell, offering a similar menu of breakfasts, sandwiches and barbecue classics.
