PUB company bosses say they hope to find new landlords to take over an historic 16th-century inn after its sudden closure.

The Swan, in Bank Street, Braintree, and a Grade II listed building, shut to the public last week.

A sign had been up at the pub for a number of weeks asking anyone interested in taking over at the Swan to contact the estate agents.

The pub is available on a five-year lease costing £12,000 with Admiral Taverns. The rent for the property is £35,000 a year.

A listing on the Admiral Taverns website reads: “We are proposing a refurbishment for the Swan so the business can move more to a premium level.

“We are looking for an operator that can maximise the potential here rather than how the pub trades.”

A sign at the historic pub proudly boasts it has been “serving Braintree since the 16th century”.

Head of Braintree Town Partnership Rob Ely said: “It needs someone to come in with a really good vision and maybe serve some gins and some cocktails and take that approach.

“It’s a great old building away from the main area and if they can find the right tenant it could be turned into something really special.”

Admiral Taverns spokesman Jean-Paul Russek said: “Following the previous licensees’ decision to retire from the pub, the Swan at Braintree has been temporarily closed.

“The pub is due to re-open in the next two weeks and we’re looking for a local, hard-working and driven licensee to take over.

“The pub has huge potential to become a great social hub for the community of Braintree and we are very keen to hear from any ambitious, would-be licensees who are looking for an exciting challenge.”

You can find out more information from the Admiral Taverns website www.admiraltaverns.co.uk ”