A PUB which has closed with immediate effect says it “refutes” claims it owes a construction firm money.

Adorn Facilities Management, based in East Bergholt, says it is locked in a “long-standing dispute” with The Flag in Wivenhoe.

The firm said it had now made an application to the County Court to recoup the money it says it owes.

The firm says it has been staging protests outside the building to highlight its case.

It claims additional work was needed to be carried out at the premises leading to the original quote increasing.

Director David Ward said: “We are doing everything we can to legally receive this significantly outstanding payment and will continue to ‘demonstrate’ at The Flag on behalf of Adorn FM until this issue is finally settled.”

But a spokesman for the Flag said the final invoice was “unsubstantiated and not as agreed.”

They said: “We continue to refute monies owed on the final balance.

“The final invoice issued is unsubstantiated and not as agreed.

“The anti-social behaviour during protesting resulted in not one, but two police visits to the property to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.

“This is why we as business have been awaiting a court date to ensure proper and fair resolution.”