A landmark pub dubbed the lifeblood of a community shut down as its bosses faced petitions for bankruptcy.

Regulars today spoke of their dismay at the closure of the historic Royal Oak pub in Great Stambridge, which leaves the village with no facilities.

The licensees of the pub, Robert and Melba Hume, had bankruptcy orders made against them at Southend County Court on December 2, and the pub has not opened since.

Popular with locals and people outside the area, the pub was known to attract people from all over the county.

Now residents have expressed their shock and sadness at the closure.

Jack Watson, 80, who lives opposite the pub, said the pub was the heart and soul of the village.

He added: "One minute the pub was open, the next minute it was shut. It all happened very quickly and we had no advance warning.

"It was a very good pub with a friendly atmosphere and it was a real centre of the community. I live right opposite it, but I never had any complaints about it. It was quiet and well run - everything a country village pub should be."

The closure of the pub comes less than three years after the village post office closed, leaving locals with no facilities.

Residents fear this is a sign of the ghost town future of small villages which suffer as out-of-town supermarkets and shopping centres took trade away from local businesses forcing them to close.

Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo