Saddened residents are asking what has happened to a pub after it was mysteriously boarded up over the weekend.

The Mill Beach Pub in Goldhanger Road, Heybridge appeared to shut down without any explanation in November, and yesterday pictures showed the pub had been completely boarded up.

The current owner of the pub is unknown.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Lyz Barnard, 52, from Heybridge, hosted events at the pub for around five years.

She said the pub, set inside a 12th century building has recently experienced a number of break ins, however she is unsure why it has suddenly been locked down.

Lyz said: "Whoever owns the place now has had to put actions in place to stop people from getting in and damaging the inside.

"It is such a shame it is just sitting and being wasted, especially with the summer season coming up.

"I just hope that whoever takes it on will be able to restore it to what it once was.

"Many people in the area remember spending their childhoods there; it was so popular for hosting live music, its cockle sheds and it was central to the community."

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Before becoming the Mill Beach pub, it was part of a piece of land called Barrow Farm.

As time went on a man made lake was built and a windmill also came to be part of the scene.

The Mill Beach however has since descended into shabbiness, and it is unclear what may become of the property.

Residents on social media have said the pub could be part of a new housing development, however currently no planning applications have been made to Maldon District Council for housing on the site.

Osea Leisure Park has however proposed to increase the opening period from nine to around 50 weeks a year.