A HISTORIC pub has reopened just weeks after it closed leaving 20 people without jobs.

The Crown in Manningtree announced to customers and employees on New Year’s Day it would be closed until further notice.

The Greene King pub, which was refurbished and relaunched in May, has been run by Julie Bain for the past 21 years.

Greene King confirmed the pub had closed, saying Ms Bain had left due to ill-health.

The pub reopened under temporary management on Saturday.

A spokesman for Greene King said: “Customers will be pleased to know the Crown in Manningtree re-opened.

“We have received a lot of interest from potential operators and are now in the process of recruiting a new and permanent tenant.

“In the meantime, the pub remains open under a temporary management team.

“We would like to thank customers for their support during this time and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

It is not known if those who lost their jobs will be re-employed.