A HISTORIC pub has re-opened just weeks after it closed leaving 20 people without jobs.

The Crown in Manningtree announced to customers and employees on New Year’s Day it would be closed until further notice.

The Greene King pub was refurbished and relaunched in May, and has been run by Julie Bain for the last 21 years.

Greene King confirmed the pub had closed saying Ms Bain had left due to ill-health.

The pub has re-opened under temporary management.

A spokesman for Greene King said: “Customers will be pleased to know that the Crown in Manningtree re-opened at lunchtime on Saturday January 17.

“We have received a lot of interest from potential operators and are now in the process of recruiting a new and permanent tenant."