Ye Olde Swan, the Brightlingsea High Street pub that closed in early February, re-opened its doors with new licensees on Wednesday, March 25.

The new hosts are Jon Holland and Nicki Horton, who are looking forward to making the 500-year -old pub a thriving part of the Brightingsea social scene again.

The couple hail from Essex and although it’s their first pub as lessees, they have plenty of catering trade experience– Nicki has spent around 15 years managing pubs and Jon has been a chef for around 13 years.

The move to the pub, which had been shut since previous licensees Angie and Stuart Richardson retired, came just 10 days after the couple viewed it. “We loved it when we first saw it,” said Jon.

Pub owner Punch Taverns is planning to invest in the building, said Jon, allowing the pub to serve food, prepared with local produce, and re-open the pub’s bed and breakfast rooms.