THE team behind a popular pub are looking forward to welcome customers back in, after a fire destroyed the venue.

The Bull Inn, Main Road, Hockley was due to re-open its doors to the public on Monday March 23, with a grand opening event planned for Friday March 27, but due to the coronavirus outbreak it has been delayed.

It was severely damaged after a fire broke out in August 2018.

Pub bosses are working on a new date and are looking forward to relaunching the hugely popular venue in the town.

Given the pub’s heritage listed status, in the immediate aftermath of the fire significant time needed to be spent ascertaining the amount of damage and planning a full reconstruction, with plans submitted to the planning authority in 2019 and the rebuilding project beginning last summer.

Six fire crews descended on Main Road, Hockley, after receiving multiple reports of a large fire at The Bull Inn.

The accidental fire saw most of the roof of the building destroyed.

The pub is a Grade II listed building and parts of its timber frame date back to the 16th century.

Residents say they are looking forward to the re-opening.