THE inside of the region's newest £3.6 million Wetherspoons has been revealed as work on the pub nears completion.

The King of Essex is due to open soon in Basildon Town Centre, replacing the former Moon on the Square pub, which closed several years ago.

The opening date has been pushed back various times, after initially being planned for late August. But pictures from inside the pub this week show it's nearly finished with carpets and furniture in place, ready for its first guests.

Residents have welcomed the addition to the town centre and are looking forward to it opening on October 21. The new pub is set to create around 70 jobs for the town.

Phil Cousins said: "Since the closing of the Moon on the Square in September 2022, something has been lacking in the town; the opening of Sigered, King of Essex, will hopefully bring back some of the socialising that has been lost."

Roy Davis said: "I think it will be a great addition to the town, and should be very busy. Wetherspoons is a nice place to have a drink and something different for a meal. I'll be trying their breakfast."

Hundreds of years ago, each county had its own monarch, and Essex was no different.

The pub's name is inspired by Sigeric of Essex, who became king of Essex in 798 following his father's abdication, inheriting a realm already under the shadow of powerful neighbours like Mercia and Wessex. The Kingdom of Essex, also known as the Kingdom of the East Saxons, was founded in the 6th century.

The new pub is opposite the new Vue Cinema complex, which also includes Nando's and other restaurants.

The town centre is undergoing a transformation with thousands of new flats planned, and work is well underway for a development of almost 500. Other plans include a new private and NHS hospital and a huge new indoor play area.