The new owners of a 17th-century pub are gearing up to welcome punters back this evening for the first time since it closed six years ago.

Nestled in the rural village of Paglesham, the Punch Bowl closed due to “a lack of business” in 2018. 

There were plans to convert one of the parish’s oldest buildings into housing, before it was taken over by Sally and Robbie Beaumont in 2021.

Now, it has been been “lovingly restored” to become a “traditional family pub”.

The husband-and-wife team has spent three years renovating the Grade II listed building, describing it as “a labour of love”.

Echo: The pub has been 'lovingly restored'.The pub has been 'lovingly restored'. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Former teacher Sally said: “Robbie has always wanted a restaurant and I’ve always wanted to be his right-hand man. We take a hands-on approach because food and hospitality mean a lot to us, and we want to give people an enjoyable experience.

“I think this is my calling.”

Chef Robbie, 42, is keen to support his community.

“Our food is seasonal and hyper-local. The venison comes from fallow deer shot on the Rayleigh Downs. Our beef comes from a farm near North Fambridge, and we also benefit from the superb fish available around here.”

Echo: First-time barmaid Elsie Gibb, 20, (left) is ‘excited’ to take on a new challenge, as she has ‘always loved talking to people’.First-time barmaid Elsie Gibb, 20, (left) is ‘excited’ to take on a new challenge, as she has ‘always loved talking to people’. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Rochford councillor Julie Gooding added: “It’s been lovingly restored to its former glory over a couple of years, with some exquisite features added.

“Speaking as a resident, I know the community has missed having a local pub. They really are the heart of the community.”

During the renovation, several “relics” were found which are currently displayed on the pub’s walls.

They include a newspaper extract from 1911, hand-drawn Victorian wallpaper, telegram receipts from 1896 and a receipt for a pair of shoes from 1906.

Echo: The pub's sign is based on privateer William Blythe, who is buried in the nearby graveyard, but dons the face of Robbie’s father.The pub's sign is based on privateer William Blythe, who is buried in the nearby graveyard, but dons the face of Robbie’s father. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

“We’ve got them on display to show how much history this place has,” Sally added.

It is believed beams from Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle were salvaged for the interior of the pub. It is located half a kilometre from Beagle Point, where the ship is thought to be buried.

The building previously housed a sail loft and was first recorded as a pub in 1829. It is the second iteration of a pub called “the Punch Bowl”, as Paglesham's original one burned down.

Echo: The pub's garden will host a wedding reception in July and could be open to the public 'as early as Easter'.The pub's garden will host a wedding reception in July and could be open to the public 'as early as Easter'. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Surrounded by wildlife, it is hoped the pub will be a prime destination for birdwatchers, tourists and dogwalkers.

Robbie said: “We want to welcome all these people here. The Essex Saltmarsh is properly unsung territory. It’s beautiful.”