A HISTORIC pub is set to make a grand return to Wickford this summer in a “huge boost” for hospitality.

The Dick Turpin pub off the A127 in Wickford has been closed since the beginning of the first Covid lockdown in March last year.

In November, owners Greene King took the “difficult decision” to shut the venue permanently.

However, the chain announced on its Facebook page yesterday that the venue would re-open by the summer.

They said: “We’re excited to be re-opening the Dick Turpin prior to July 2021 after being closed for so long.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone in Wickford back to celebrate with us and create new memories.

“We are currently recruiting for a number of roles within our kitchen and serving team.

“We look forward to seeing you again soon.”

The news has been welcomed by followers of the pub online, and members of the biking community, who gathered in huge numbers at the venue before the pandemic.

Adam Ball, 46, chairman of the Southend Shakedown Resurrection committee, said he was “bowled over” by the announcement.

He said: “I’m overwhelmed. We’ve only got a few places in Essex to meet up really, and that’s always been the spot for decades, it’s unbelievable.

“It’s the best news we have had in a while.

“We’ll have places to go, it’s been hard for the last year. It will be great news for the biking community.

“I have so many good memories of parking up and seeing all the amazing bikes, seeing friends and different clubs.

“I work in hospitality myself, I’ve been involved since 1998. It’s a massive boost for the hospitality industry.

“We’ve only just started doing meet-ups again. We will have to be careful of group sizes but it will do the biking community a world of good.”

Rumours circulated in the months after the closure that the pub would be demolished, but Greene King insisted its future had not been decided.

The initial closure was one of 25 Greene King pubs to close across the UK.

Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, said: “It’s fantastic news, there will be jobs and business rates for the council.

“It’s brilliant and fantastic news.”