Historic Shenfield Pub Set for £450,000 UPGRADE

A landmark Grade II listed Shenfield pub dating back to 1500 is to be transformed into a top quality family friendly local thanks to a £450,000 investment.

The project at Ye Olde Green Dragon on Shenfield Road is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and Brentwood born-and-bred licensee Karen Harris. Karen, who also runs The Robin at Brentwood, has worked in pubs in the area for the past 30 years and took over Ye Olde Green Dragon in 2019. 

The pub will be renamed The Green Dragon to mark its restoration and new direction. Work starts on 3rd October* and The Green Dragon is scheduled to reopen in mid November. 

The scheme will carefully restore and paint the outside of the historic building, accentuating its character and architectural details. A stunning 125-seater garden - planted in a Mediterranean style and lit up at night - will wrap around the pub, further enhancing the neighbourhood. The garden will accommodate 90 people under cover year-round in seven beautiful gazebos. A new wall at the front of the pub will enclose the space for the safety of visiting children and prevent regular flooding of the building caused by surface water running down the adjacent hill.

The refurbishment will completely upgrade the inside of The Green Dragon, making it more comfortable and stylish whilst retaining its charm. The new design will incorporate heritage colours and fabrics in keeping with the building. Features such as wood paneling, old beams and parquet flooring will be renovated, and the pub’s fireplace brought back into use with the installation of a log burner. 

The Green Dragon will boast a traditional bar with a games area - kitted out with screens for showing sports, a pool table and darts - as well as a spacious lounge with soft seating and booths. Each area will have its own bar, so that the pub can cater for different groups and occasions at the same time.  

Other changes will include revamping the toilets, refitting the kitchen to enable the introduction of freshly made food and overhauling the cellar with state-of-the-art-dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints. The food will focus on pub classics, such as burgers, fish and chips, and Sunday roasts. The accompanying extensive drinks selection will span cask ales, cocktails and coffee. 

Karen has made many improvements since taking over The Green Dragon, doubling the number of customers and attracting people who had never been in before. Her aim is to make it a “hub of the community with something for everyone”. To that end, the pub will run events ranging from music and quiz nights to coffee mornings to bring residents together, and Karen will offer meeting space to local organisations and good causes. Karen already sponsors Shenfield Football Club and is keen to hear from anyone interested in starting pool and darts teams at the pub. 

Says Karen: “I can’t thank residents enough for their backing. They’ve got behind everything we’ve done and are really supportive of the plans. The Green Dragon is a gorgeous old building and a landmark of Shenfield, but it’s tired and dated. The investment will give it the TLC it needs and turn into a premium pub that 

the whole community can enjoy, whether they’re after a morning coffee, a family lunch or a great night out.”

Adds Steve Charlton, Star Pubs & Bars’ area manager: “Karen is well known in Shenfield and Brentwood and understands just what people want. She has done a tremendous job and given The Green Dragon a new lease of life despite all the challenges of the pandemic. This investment will build on her hard work and take The Green Dragon to the next level as a superb pub with a fantastic garden that really adds to the area. We wish Karen all the best.”

*The Green Dragon will close after last orders on the 1st October.