TGI Fridays Bracknell: Here's how people reacted to its closure

On Monday, October 7, the chain announced the immediate closure of 35 restaurants across the UK - including its Bracknell branch - with 1,000 jobs made redundant after collapsing into administration.

But a deal secured with Breal Capital and Calveton UK means that 51 restaurants will remain open for the foreseeable future - including the restaurant in the Reading Station Shopping Park.

The announcement prompted hundreds of comments to our stories about the turmoil, with many residents wishing to extend their sympathy to staff. 

One resident commenting on social media said: "This is so sad to read.

"I treasure my time at Friday’s when I lived in Bracknell and I miss the team dearly some days.

"I speak so fondly of my time there to my current colleagues and they said it sounds like a great place to be.

"This breaks my heart and I’m thinking of everyone today."

Another resident recalled it being a "vibrant" and "unique" place to work when the brand came to the UK in the late 1980s. 

But they said "the slope of decline" has left the business in dire straits. 

Speaking of the chain of restaurants, they said: "It’s sloppy, the service is dire and slow. It’s just another overpriced place to eat and has lost any part of the uniqueness it sold itself on."

Others commented on the current unforgiving market for restaurants, which have to compete with food delivery apps. 

One resident said: "I feel for the staff but I can't help but think that the increase in home deliveries through various apps is significantly damaging the service you get if you go out for food the old fashioned way."

Some staff have taken to social media to criticise CEO Julie McEwan and calling for a boycott of the brand.

When the nationwide restaurant closures was announced, Ms McEwan said it marked "the start of a positive future" the business amid "a very challenging period for the casual dining sector as a whole."