A127 Dick Turpin pub will close for good next month

Brewery Greene King has confirmed the much-loved Dick Turpin pub will close for good on July 8.

The pub has faced increasing struggles in recent years which prompted developer EG Group revealing plans to raze it to the ground and replace it with a petrol station and drive-through coffee shop.

These plans, which were rejected by Basildon Council, were met with widespread outcry from members of the biker community which regularly meets at the Dick Turpin, between Wickford and Rayleigh on the A127.

As it was - the old Dick Turpin pub (Image: Unknown)

Bosses behind the pub had warned that “changing consumer habits” and the Covid pandemic meant the pub was no longer viable to run.

A Greene King spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Dick Turpin in Wickford will be closing on 8 July.”

The pub group issued a vote of thanks to customers and supporters, adding: “Making the decision to close a pub is never an easy one. We are aware that this will be disappointing news to the local community and our loyal customers, and would like to thank those who have enjoyed visiting us over the years.

“We look forward to welcoming them into our other pubs in the area soon.”

The brewery hopes to redeploy staff from the Dick Turpin to other pubs.

The spokesman added: “We are working with our team from the Dick Turpin to find alternative roles at our other pubs in the local area where possible.”

It is not clear whether the EG Group will appeal to the Government over the plans rejected by Basildon Council.

The spokesman added: “We are aware that EG Group’s planning application for the Dick Turpin pub was refused and we are in discussion with them about their next steps.”

Adam Ball, Southend Shakedown chairman called the closure “a massive shame” and has paid respect to a pub he “always remembers being there”.

“The Dick Turpin is and was the heart of the biker community, it was the hub and central meeting point for bikers near and far,” he said.

“I have memories of time spent there getting the biking community on board for a shakedown revival, seeing bikes old and new, meeting for ride outs for the fallen.

“It is a shame to lose it.”

Thrown out - the previous plans for a petrol station and coffee shop (Image: EG Group)

Adam believes that the future, while uncertain, could see the pub redesigned into something like the “Ace Cafe” in London, a cafe loved by petrolheads.

“It is a place synonymous with bike and car meets, it could be transformed into something like that with some thought behind it,” he added.

According to EG Group, the 100-year-old pub had been “running at a loss for three years” and this hastened plans to dispose of the business.

The pub faced serious challenges during the Covid pandemic and recovering trade afterwards.

However, the chain opted to reopen the venue on June 23, 2021 following support from the public and changing restrictions.