A LANDMARK pub off the A127 which has been boarded up for almost four months “cannot be left to fall to ruin”, councillors have urged owners as fears grow over its future.

The Dick Turpin pub, off the major road in Wickford, closed its doors to customers at the end of June after running at a loss for close to three years, with Greene King admitting it was no longer a viable business.

Once popular with bikers and for car meets, the pub was put up for sale in July by WTS Property Consultants while Greene King said it was “reviewing its options” for the building. 

Former glory - The Dick Turpin when open Former glory - The Dick Turpin when open (Image: Newsquest) Now, members of the Wickford Independents are urging the brewery to provide an update amid concern the pub could fall into ruin if it is left empty.

David Harrison, leader of the group, said: “I haven’t heard a thing about it, I imagine with some of the places they look at, it depends what is in their budget.

“It is a historic building but I think they should be up front and say what they intend to do, they must be urged to do so and the longer they leave it, the more chance it will sink into decay.

“For the future use, I think that does depend on what it is, would they use the whole building for instance? It should be preserved.”

Hoardings - The current state of the Dick Turpin Hoardings - The current state of the Dick Turpin (Image: Newsquest)


 

The building, which is 100 years old, had plans rejected by the EG Group to bulldoze the site and replace it with a petrol station and drive-through coffee shop.

Despite plans being thrown out, the pub, beloved by bikers across south Essex, did finally close on June 28 with many mourning the end of an era.

Wickford Independent deputy leader, Eunice Brockman, added: “I am shocked they are letting it go to rack and ruin really, I remember how it was as a kid and my dad used to take me down to Southend, it was a trek and the pub was a landmark.

“It is such a shame and it would be nice to know what their intentions are for it, it would be nice to see something positive happen with it rather than seeing it just left to rot.”