CAMPAIGNERS fear a landmark pub on the A127 could be forced to shut after bosses admitted there was “no definitive answer” over its future.

Earlier this month, Basildon Council rejected plans for the Dick Turpin pub to be demolished and replaced with a petrol station alongside a drive-through coffee shop.

However, as part of its application to bulldoze and develop the pub, the EG Group said the Dick Turpin had been “running at a loss for three years”.

It added the pub had been significantly impacted by the Covid pandemic and was “no longer viable” to be run as a pub.

Greene King, the brewery behind the pub, has stressed the pub will remain open for now but there is “no definitive” answer on its long-term future.

The pub, which is nearly 100 years old, has been a hit over the decades and has been known as the meeting place of south Essex’s biker community.

Adam Ball, chairman of Southend Shakedown Association, added: “It is a possibility that it closes, sadly. If they are making a loss, like they say they are, and can’t rectify that, unfortunately that is the way of the world.

“They can and will close places. We have seen it with Wetherspoons, and it has happened at other sites before.

“If they can’t turn a profit, it is a possibility they will just close it.

“That would be disappointing. If it closes, it could make it easier to change plans and change the refusal.

“The only other way around it I guess, is if someone else took the pub on.”

Bosses stated at the time of submitting the application that “it is only a matter of time” until the pub closes.

They added a new petrol station would “create 40 new jobs and bring a number of benefits”.

A spokesman for Greene King said: “We are aware that EG Group’s recent planning application for the Dick Turpin pub was refused and therefore we are in discussion with them about their next steps. The pub remains open and trading as usual while these discussions continue.”

Basildon Council has rejected the application due to the potential loss of a “non-designated heritage asset”.

The Echo contacted the EG Group, which is behind the plans, but bosses refused to comment.