A once popular Essex village pub is to be given a new lease of life after being sold to new owners, it was announced today (Wednesday).

The Ipswich office of national business agents, Christie+Co, has sold the Coach and Horses freehouse in Wicken Bonhunt near Saffron Walden to experienced operators, Sergio Manini and Ananta Limsuwat, off a quoted guide price of �375,000.

The attractive grade II Listed property boasts a bar, restaurant, pool room, beer garden, patio and private accommodation.

New owner, Sergio Manini, said: “Our plan for the Coach and Horses is to have good quality beverages accompanied by home-made authentic Thai food including traditional and fusion dishes.

“We are planning to reopen the bar in April and the restaurant in May. In the meantime, please look us up atthaifoodpub.com.

“We are very happy and are looking forward to starting trading.”

Bill Colquhoun, director, who handled the sale, said: “We are delighted to have sold the Coach and Horses to Sergio and Ananta, who are planning to reopen the pub and restaurant.

“A feature of this deal was that vendor took the purchaser’s property in part-exchange for the Coach and Horses, thus enabling the sale to progress with no ‘chain’ issues.

“This sale continues the trend of closed pubs reopening for licensed use; in this case with an emphasis on restaurant trade.”