29/08/2026
What an era! And what a privilege to have shared this industry with you.
I still remember vividly the first time we met. You came to our restaurant during our very first week, wanting a clay pot lamb biryani. We had sold the last one just a minute earlier to the table next to you.
We had no idea who you were then. We only found out later through your social media post. The following week, we turned up with a clay pot biryani for you, and that was the beginning of our journey together.
Shu & Breege, you are two of the most inspiring people we have met in this industry.
Over the years, I have watched you conduct your business with immense dignity, hard work, honesty and integrity. Always with your values intact. Not a single misstep over the years, and with kindness to your customers, suppliers, fellow independent businesses and the wider community. And your commitment to charity speaks for itself.
You have also gone out of your way to help us personally. Offering to be a collection point for our Clays at Home during Covid was a lifeline at a very difficult time. And I can’t thank you enough for being my sounding board over the years. Always asking the right questions and gently steering me in the right direction. The few times I didn’t listen, I usually ended up regretting it 😂.
There are very few people you meet in life whom you can genuinely say it has been a privilege to know. You are two of those people.
I admire not only the business you built, but the way you are leaving it. On your own terms, and with incredible care for the people taking over. I have seen first-hand how much effort you are putting into making sure they succeed, going far beyond what is required. That says everything about who you are.
Reading’s hospitality scene has been richer because of you, and we are genuinely sad to see you leave it.
But most of all, we wish you both every success and happiness in whatever comes next — and very much hope we’ll continue to be part of each other’s lives.
Who would have thought that one sold-out biryani would lead to a friendship we will always treasure?
Breege & Shu — immense love, respect and admiration.
Salute. ❤️
Nandana & Sharat
Let's get one thing straight - Fidget & Bob is not closing down. But we do have some news…
As some of you know by now, we (Breege & Shu) are moving on from Fidget & Bob. It's been almost 10 years - which feels 100 in real life! - and it is time for us to do new things. We have so much we still want to achieve, and frankly, café life is suited to younger legs. The time is right, it's a happy event for us, and we're leaving on good terms.
Today - Saturday 29th August - is our last public trading day as owners, though we will be around for another little while to support Carla & Haidar, the new owners.
Carla and Haidar will continue to operate as Fidget & Bob, with the same suppliers & menu. It's virtually impossible to distil everything into a few weeks of handover training, so we hope you'll be patient as they find their feet - the same patience you extended to us when we tried weird stuff that didn't work.
When we decided to sell, over aching bones one weekend, we thought to hold onto the name Fidget & Bob, but gradually realised that a name is just a name - what matters is the quality of food & drink, attentiveness of service, and the connections we make.
Since we opened, although always firmly tethered to the premises, we have experienced so much - cute children who attended the nursery next door grow to be fine teenagers; customers who moved away but still pop back to say hello; and often soaring joy & deep despair in the same day. During Covid, which was really formative for a nascent hospitality business, customers said the only time they heard their name was when we called their coffee; another who broke down in tears when he learned of his grandmother's death, but couldn't get to her; and of course, we opened Christmas Day 2020, not being allowed to go anywhere. Coffee was on the house that day - an inconsequential nod to the suffering around us.
We have loved meeting so many Reading indies along the way. When the Government announced lock-down, a number of Reading indies met at ours to discuss what it might mean for small hospitality, and whether we could work to support each other. Out of that, we began to stock local products for sale (who remembers the Ding-a-Ling?) and some we still carry. A big shout out to our friends at Clay's Kitchen & Bar Makan Malaysia Gluten-free Nibsy Rise Bakehouse Dee Caf Shed Double-Barrelled Tilehurst Honey; Vegivores; Swaadish Curry Beechwood Farm Free Range Eggs Geo Cafe; Blue Collar; the much-missed Grumpy Goat; La Petite Bouche; The Collective; Ela's Coffee Bar; Wolsely Street Bakery; Anonymous Coffee; Zest; Warings Bakery; Dark Horse Roastery; Dolphin Brewery; Cuppies 'n' Cream...and oh so many more.
Hospitality is tough right now. Chains aren't evil - of course not - but it is not a level playing field, and that really hurts. Independents don't have the same financial muscle or influence as chains. With that in mind then, when you make a decision to spend your hard-earned money, if you can, please think about spending some with an independent business.
As we could to say goodbye, we've tried to check in with as many people as possible, but like any good Oscar speech, we will have missed some. Please forgive us - there have been so many lovely customers who have passed through.
For now, we'll sign off. If you spot us in the wild do say hello!
