A RESTAURANT that opened its doors in February to complete the transformation of a traditional riverside pub in Grays is currently closed.

A 'Temporarily Closed' notice on the door of the Pasha Lounge on Kings Walk, which was the former White Hart pub that closed down in 2023.

A spokesperson for the owners told Nub News the closure would not be for long and doors would reopen once a restructure of management was complete.

However, the restaurant has also been placed on the market, with its nine year lease offered at £50,000 per annum and a goodwill payment of £200,000 required.

The advertisement says: "This fully refurbished stunning restaurant offering Turkish Cuisine is positioned in a prime location close to town centre and transport links.

"Set in a beautiful building offering 100 covers fully equipped new kitchen, basement storage, the restaurant is fully operational with a healthy weekly turnover and customer base."

When previously advertised in December 2023, the building was on the market for £600,000.

The building has a recent checkered history and from being recognised as an award-winning traditional pub ended up shut down after police intervention over a display of gollywogs in one of its bars, to allegations of financial mismanagement of its tenants and its sale to the current leaseholders who created the restaurant within it.

Benice and Chris Ryley were landlords of the pub for many years and defended displaying the dolls, insisting they were "not breaking any laws". They cited the problems over the dolls and subsequent controversy as the reason they quit, but building owners Admiral Taverns later indicated there were issues over unpaid rent.

See associated stories.

April 2023: A black and White Hart problem: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/a-black-and-white-problem-police-officers-visit-pub-to-confiscate-golly-dolls-despite-force-having-previously-decided-no-laws-were-broken-council-confirms-display-does-not-breach-its-rules-179045

April 2023: Opinions vary on pub dolls: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/grays-pub-golliwog-doll-furore-continues-as-contrasting-views-become-focal-point-for-national-media-179611

April 2023: Pub windows smashed: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/golly-pub-windows-are-shattered-as-critics-make-a-violent-protest-180031

May 2023: Tearful Benice as pub closes its doors. https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/police-action-led-to-closure-of-pub-says-landlady-of-white-hart-as-she-closes-doors-for-last-time-following-golly-controversy-182245

May 2023: Building owner has plans to reopen White Hart: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/pubs-company-says-it-plans-to-reopen-the-white-hart-in-grays-182650

December 2023: £600,000 price tag on White Hart: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/pub-chain-that-pledged-to-reopen-grays-town-centre-hostelry-after-golly-controversy-has-now-put-it-up-for-sale-215646

March 2024: 'Gollygate' impacts on beer festival: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/camra-says-borough-beer-festival-will-go-ahead-despite-fall-out-over-gollygate-223674

February 2025: Pub transformed https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/former-pub-transformed-to-offer-mediterranean-welcome-251426

February 2025: Red carpet night at new restairant attended by MP: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/red-carpet-night-at-new-restaurant-252314