A PUB which has roots going back to the early 1900s is set to reopen after being closed for six months while spending thousands of pounds on a revamp.

The Cherry Tree, in Cressing Road, Witham, will reopen in at the end of April after new managers took over the building.

Chantelle Salhotra is the new landlord of the pub, which will relaunch as a family-friendly, community village hostelry which focuses on affordable food and live entertainment.

The building, which is owned by Star Pubs, is undergoing a £180,000 refurbishment and the pub’s exterior will be redecorated in a two-tone olive-green colour with gold lettering, and new signage.

Gazette: New - an illustration which shows how the pub should look after the refurbishmentNew - an illustration which shows how the pub should look after the refurbishment (Image: PR)

New lighting, wooden tables, chairs, benches, and parasols will also be installed to provide outside seating for more than 100 customers.

Chantelle, of Uxbridge, is moving to Witham to take over the pub.

She has 17 years of experience working in hospitality and has run pubs in south London.

Chantelle said: “Essex has always been somewhere I have wanted to live so I leapt at the opportunity to take on the Cherry Tree.

“I could see it had real potential. 

Gazette: Revamp - an image which shows how the side of the pub should look after the refurbishment work is completedRevamp - an image which shows how the side of the pub should look after the refurbishment work is completed (Image: PR)

“I first visited it in October and so can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people.

“I intend to have a grand launch night on the first bank holiday weekend.”

The inside of the interior will be given a new lease of life with brighter colours, the sports zone is being redecorated and a new pool table and dartboard will be added.

A large HDTV and four other televisions will be added throughout the rest of the pub.

The work follows on from when the pub closed in October last year after its previous management left.

A new food menu will be introduced, featuring a mix of traditional pub classics.

Star Pubs business development manager Dan Hayward said: “The investment, new food menu and Chantelle’s enthusiasm will do wonders for the Cherry Tree.

“With extra housing being built up the road, it’s the ideal place for new and existing Witham residents to come together and get to know one another as there is nothing else in walking distance."