A REVAMPED pub has opened its doors to punters for the first time since 2013 after a £1 million investment.
Publican Piers Baker announced the investment in into The White Hart Inn, Mersea Island, earlier this year.
Mr Baker, who owns Church Street Tavern, Colchester, and The Sun Inn, Dedham, opened the pub on Wednesday.
His exciting plans have breathed new life into the High Street premises, which boasts a pub, restaurant and rooms for overnight stays.
Mr Baker said: "It is great to have a pub that has been shut for over 10 years open again filled with food smells, have real ale flowing and be full of people.
"Our opening week went fantastically with lots of excellent feedback about the way the pub now looks, the food and our team.
"It was great hearing people's stories from when the pub used to be open and their excitement at what lay ahead given their familiarity with The Sun Inn and Church Street Tavern, which has made things a bit daunting as we obviously have a reputation to live up to.
"Our team have worked tremendously well getting up to speed really quickly and I am too now extremely excited about the months and years to come."
The regularly changing menu will be a mix of casual bar food along with a restaurant menu using the best local ingredients.
There will be roasts on Sunday and options for children.
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