A GRADE II listed pub is set to lose a “large proportion” of its income after being told it must tear down a marquee in its grounds.

The Crown, in Main Road, Wormingford, has been asked by Colchester Council to remove the structure by October 1.

Paul Baker, who runs the pub with partner Sarah, said “it is with an extremely heavy heart” that they will no longer be able to host functions in the marquee.

The decision will be effective from September 24 as the pub temporarily closes until October 4, with the exception of its quiz night on September 29, for the removal to occur.

Gazette: Pub - The Crown is run by Paul Baker and partner SarahPub - The Crown is run by Paul Baker and partner Sarah (Image: Google)

A statement from Mr Baker reads: “As many of you know, the marquee was a large proportion of our revenue and we are currently unsure about how this will affect us going forward.

“We will have discussions over the next weeks and months about where we go from here.

“We will, of course, keep all our friends and customers informed of our decisions.”

Villagers have since offered their support to the business after it announced the news.

Gazette: Popular - the marquee proved to be popular with people wanting to book functionsPopular - the marquee proved to be popular with people wanting to book functions (Image: The Crown)

One wrote on social media: "So frustrated and sad for you both as you've worked so hard and are so generous and helpful to others, including my own family.

"We also loved having our Soph's 30th [birthday] in the marquee. It was/is a great venue and so affordable in these difficult times."

The decision follows the landlord's bid to renovate and extend the building being rejected by Colchester Council.

He applied to construct a cart lodge with staff accommodation above it and six free-standing garden rooms to let.

Gazette: Pretty - The pub's marquee Pretty - The pub's marquee (Image: Public)

A planning statement said: “If the Crown is not allowed to expand and improve its facilities, when it reopens after the Covid crisis is over, there will be no basis to justify further investment.

“At best, it will, therefore, continue to limp along and slowly decline until it is no longer financially viable.

“At that point, it will be lost to the local community and village social and cultural life will suffer.”

Colchester Council rejected the bid due to fears about damage to the historic building.