Dragon mural on Brewers Arms in Bicknacre divides opinion

The Brewer’s Arms, at the edge of the village on Main Road, has been undergoing renovations since July 8, when new bosses took over.

The painting appeared shortly afterwards.

It depicts a giant dragon leaning bleary-eyed on a bar with its elbow nudging a beer bottle and its tail slumped beside it.

The mural’s caption - ‘Drunken Dragon’ - is also the name of the pub’s new restaurant, which will be opening when renovations are completed later this month.

Some locals have welcomed the fiery beast of yore, saying it will liven things up.

“It’s what this place needs. A bit of change never hurt anyone,” said resident Jeanette Doughty.

“At least it might portray Bicknacre as being a fun place and not boring.”

However, not everybody was so thrilled.

“It’s not subtle,” said Ann Derby, who lives in nearby Thriftwood Road.

“I think it looks a bit overpowering. If you’re coming in from the South Woodham end, it’s a bit in your face.”

A spokesman for the pub said the dragon theme is a tribute to the new owner’s late grandfather, a proud Welshman.

He said: “Artwork is in the eye of the beholder. When Picasso did his work, some people liked it and some people hated it.

“Bicknacre is a changing village and just looking at the amount of new houses that are being built, we’ll get a lot of new people coming in from outside the area.”

So far, the pub’s renovation has cost over £100,000 and has seen the beer garden expanded and the interior overhauled.

The pub spokesman said the venture would create 20 new jobs for local people and bring in punters from further afield.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno is due at the official opening ceremony.

Parish council chairman June Saltmarsh declined to comment on the mural.

Borough councillor Richard Poulter said it did not need planning permission and the building is not in a conservation area.

“It’s the same as somebody painting the side of his house,” he said. “He’s just decided to paint this.”