EXCITED residents flocked to a new £2.6million pub and hotel as the doors were officially thrown open for business.

JD Wetherspoon held the grand opening of the Bottle Kiln, in Dovercourt, on Tuesday.

The company has been working on restoring the former Co-op furniture store, in Kingsway, since purchasing the site in 2015.

Councillors and residents attended the opening of the pub and nine-bedroom hotel and said it was “packed” with customers all day.

Les Nicoll, a community builder with Essex Fire and Rescue Service, was on hand to officially open the new business.

Mr Nicoll is a former firefighter and chairman of Harwich and District Food Bank.

He enjoyed breakfast at the new pub with his family and said it was “an honour” to be the one to cut the tape.

“I thought it was ironic they asked me to officially open the pub when I used to be getting chucked out of places like this all the time,” he said.

“They had been looking for people to open it and my name was put forward.

“I am truly flattered and very pleased to do it.

“There were lots of people in there, the place was packed out.”

He added: “I didn’t get a chance to make a speech, but if I had I would have thanked Wetherspoon for recreating an iconic building, it is just amazing what they have done.

“To have 65 jobs for local people is even better - to know there are 65 more wage packets in the town is extremely welcome news.

“I am hoping as the place is packed out that visitors will take the chance to to look around the shops in the High Street and increase trade.”

Manager Peter Campbell said: “The pub has been busy right from the opening.

“After a couple of years of talking about it the pub is finally open and the reaction from customers on day one gives me great confidence it will be an outstanding success.

“Hopefully it will be an important social hub for people in Dovercourt.”