Mersea: White Hart Inn reopens after £1 million investment

Successful landlord Piers Baker unveiled The White Hart Inn, Mersea, on Wednesday after a bumper £1 million worth of investment.

Mr Baker, who owns Church Street Tavern, Colchester, and The Sun Inn, Dedham, has breathed new life into the High Street premises which boasts a pub, restaurant and rooms for overnight stays.

The owner said: “It is great to have a pub that has been shut for more than ten years open again filled with food smells, have real ale flowing and be full of people.

Revamp - the pub's exterior

“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.”

Cheers - the terrace

The venue’s regularly changing menu will be a mix of casual bar food along with a restaurant menu using locally sourced ingredients, and roasts on offer on Sundays.

It boasts a welcoming bar and dining room with an oak-panelled lounge hosting an open fire and outdoor seating in the refurbished terraced garden.

Six individually-designed bedrooms with en-suites and sea views are also now available to guests.

Team - Eliot Craven and Jack Tuck

Mr Baker also announced Eliot Craven will be joining the venue as head chef, having previously held the role of sous chef at Church Street Tavern.

The front of house team will be led by Jack Tuck, who has been a manager at The Sun Inn since 2019.

A statement released by the pub reads: “The White Hart Inn will be somewhere for a casual pint, relaxed lunch or a special dinner with delicious food.”