Colchester Cherry Tree pub closure sparks worry for future

The Cherry Tree Pub, in Mersea Road, closed on Friday and has since been boarded up.

The Gazette has asked management company Wellington Pub Company what will happen to the site but did not receive a response before going to press. 

Berechurch councillor Martyn Warnes has voiced his concern about the vital community asset being lost.

He has approached Wellington Pub Company, asking them to reopen the pub. 

He said: “I’m very disappointed to see this community asset closed.  

Pub - The Cherry Tree Pub has been boarded up (Image: Martyn Warnes)

“I would have hoped that the pub owners would have lined-up another publican rather than closing it down, boarding it up and risk it becoming an eyesore or worse.   

“I call upon the owners to do all they can to bring this pub back into use in service of the local community and if necessary, think outside the box about how best to make such a venue viable in the future.  

“For instance, perhaps part of the building could also be used to provide a convenience store to supplement a future publican’s income”. 

Mr Warnes is worried about the pub becoming a target for vandalism and misuse in the future if it stays empty. 

The pub had been raided and suffered a lot of damage in 2023, which left the former owner devastated. 

Fellow councillor Dave Harris has also approached the Wellington Pub Company after hearing about the closure. 

He agrees that the pub should be preserved as a community asset, as the pub has served for many years. 

He said: “I have been told that the Wellington Pub Company is assessing the property at the moment to decide if they are re-letting it. 

“I don't want the property to be developed and if there were plans to do so, I will ask the council to log it as a community asset. 

“If we’re losing them drip by drip, we will never get them back.” 

The Wellington Pub Company has been contacted for comment.