A 17th century pub has officially re-opened following a six-year closure and its restoration has been praised for its “traditional” feel and “welcoming” atmosphere.
The Punch Bowl, hidden away in the rural village of Paglesham, has welcomed its first customers since undergoing a major refurbishment.
After purchasing the Grade II listed pub in 2021, husband-and-wife team Sally and Robbie Beaumont undertook extensive work to renovate the pub’s interior, add a new toilet block, and open up the pub’s previously unused garden.
Michael Powley, 77, of Headingham Place, Ashingdon, visited the pub regularly under a previous landlord.
The former Rochford council worker recalled “hiding” from his boss in the pub, “because he never came around here”.
He said: “The old landlord was a character. He was quite old-fashioned, even shutting in the afternoons and keeping to the old pub opening hours.”
After visiting the recently renovated pub, Michael said: “I like it. It’s similar to how it was in the old days, with its tablecloths and tankards on the wall. It’s a traditional old English pub.”
Wife Jean, 60, added: “It’s cosy and the staff are very welcoming. It makes a change from having blaring music and loud TVs, like you get in other pubs.
“You can sit down and read if you want. That’s not something you see in a lot of pubs these days.
“My first impression was it looks a lot bigger on the inside than it does on the outside.”
The pub’s owners are keen to support smaller breweries.
Landlady Sally Beaumont said: “We have ales from four different local breweries, which will rotate and provide seasonal ales.
“We decided to go with them because they offer us a really good product and we want to support local breweries.”
The micro-breweries which the Punch Bowl works with are Black Box Brewery in Rochford, George’s Brewery in Great Wakering, Mighty Oak Brewery in Maldon, and Wibblers Brewery in Southminster.
This summer, the couple plans to open the pub’s garden to customers for the first time, where they will host a wedding reception in July. A herb garden is also planned to be planted, which will be used in recipes at the restaurant.
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