A127 Dick Turpin could be saved as a community-interest pub

The Dick Turpin will close its doors on July 8 just months after developer EG Group’s plan to replace the pub with a petrol station was rejected by Basildon Council.

Greene King described the pub as “unviable”, underlining statements made as part of the planning application which described a difficult financial backdrop for the pub trade.

Now Basildon councillor David Harrison, Wickford Independents leader, said the only way campaigners could protect the pub would be to finance the plan themselves.

He called for the building to be retained, as “it is a part of history” in south Essex.

Mr Harrison said: “My view really is that the building should be retained, it is a part of the history of that road and the area.

“The issue is Greene King are in control of the use of it and you cannot stop them from closing it down, the only thing could think anyone could do would be for people to raise enough funds themselves to take over the place.”

The petrol station plans 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.

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

At this stage, it is unclear if the EG will be resubmitting plans to demolish the pub.

Mr Harrison added: “There are a few pubs in Chelmsford which have been made community-interest, the community had to raise those funds themselves though.

“If that could happen...I don’t know, it is a major place for the biker community, maybe that could be enough, sadly this is the situation these days.

“Someone needs to find the money, if people want to save it they must come forward, it is unlikely a local authority can really do anything, people need to finance it but that is the most difficult part.

“It’s a large building, more like a hotel, if it was closer to the town centre a Wetherspoons would happily take it.”