A POPULAR pub has been given a new lease of life after undergoing a £20,000 refurbishment at the hands of its delighted new landlord.

The Three Jays pub, a familiar sight in Jaywick for decades, was taken on in the summer by Steve Saxon on a five year lease.

Steve, from Chelmsford, has long enjoyed a love affair with the pub, as his parents live “just around the corner.”

His wife Dionne, who joins him in the venture, said: “We have had nothing but positive comments from people.

“We have known the pub for about 14 years, Steve’s parents live round the corner and whenever we came through Clacton we would pop into the pub.

“It has been great so far, there has been lots of support from regulars as we are putting real work into this - trying to protect a good, local pub.

“We have been really happy to see people from further afield, people have travelled down from Thorpe and Frinton, and we’ve had some holiday makers.”

Steve and Dionne have invested considerably in breathing fresh life into the pub and have converted a function room into a stylish restaurant.

Artwork concealed beneath paintwork, believed to have been crafted in 1972, has been uncovered and restored by a local artist.

Major work has been done refurbishing the toilets, dining room, ceiling and floors.

Dionne said: “It has undergone a major restoration.

“There is a new ceiling and new floors, the outside has been re-painted - it used to be a Royal Blue colour.”

It is an exciting new venture for Steve, who previously worked on large projects in London as a mechanical engineer.

He is driven by his passion for making sure The Three Jays has a long and secure future.

“When we had the initial meetings and there was talk of finding a pub, we said it is this pub or nothing,” said Dionne.

“At this end of Jaywick I feel there is a lack of places where local people can sit down and have a nice meal in a restaurant.

“We are aiming to provide that.”

Bar food is offered in the pub from Tuesday through to Saturday.

The restaurant is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and Sunday afternoon.

Dionne, who works at Colchester General Hospital, added: “We have a resident DJ, karaoke sessions and live entertainment on Sundays.”

The pub is also taking bookings for Christmas parties. For more information call 01255 428440