An independent brewery are investing £1 million to revitalise a village pub to the delight of a group of campaigners.

Shepherd Neame, former owners of The Oaklands Inn, on Notley Green, Great Notley, closed the pub in January amid claims it was no longer economically viable.

However a group of regulars in the village started a campaign to save the pub, and successfully registered it as an asset of community value with Braintree Council.

Now it has been announced that McMullens, an independent brewery based in Hertfordshire has purchased the pub, and will be reopening it again as a pub and restaurant, bringing between 40 and 55 jobs to the village.

Justin Ward headed the campaign to keep the building as a pub.

He said: “Since the news was announced there has been an overwhelming sense of delight from people in the village.

“It is important to have something like this for the Great Notley community. People now have to support the business going forward.”

The building is set to undergo a full refurbishment, costing around £1 million and when it reopens in April or May next year will have room for 130 covers.

Heydon Mizon, managing director of McMullens, said: “We are delighted to have acquired a pub in the centre of this aspirational garden village and look forward to materially investing in both the building and the team that will run it.

“The pub will have a wide range of beers including McMullens’ authentic heritage cask ales and contemporary tasting local and global brands.

“These will be complemented by an interesting wine and spirits list and our successful, excellent Chicken and Grill pub menu.”

McMullens operates 38 tenanted sites and 86 managed pubs. The business’ portfolio includes pubs, inns and high street bars.

For more information, visit www.mcmullens.co.uk.