Landlord 'a true force of nature'

STAR Pub boss Andy Martin put his heart and soul into city's famous music venue

- Neal Kealing

TRIBUTES are pouring in for the landlord of iconic Manchester pub The Star and Garter Andy Martin following the heartbreaking news of his death. Hundreds of people have taken to social media to pay their respects.

They all agree - if ever a licensee put his heart and soul into his pub, it was Andy. He was the perfect fit for the iconic music venue and watering hole, which has survived for more than two centuries.

The Star and Garter, in the shadow of Manchester’s Piccadilly station, is on the cusp of a new era after some rocky times, which only makes the loss of Andy after a short illness even more poignant. Under his stewardship, the Fairfield Street boozer shaped the youth of thousands.

It hosts Mozarmy, an annual meeting of Morrissey and Smiths fans, which Andy credited with helping keep the pub afloat. It also regularly hosts Smiths and Morrissey disco nights.

Andy’s wife Helen broke the tragic news on the pub’s Facebook page. She wrote: “I’m devastated to be sharing the news that our licensee Andy Martin died today after a very short illness. He leaves behind Jasmine (5) and Georgina (3).

“We are all obviously in bits and I know that so many of you will feel this loss too. He was a wonderful dad, husband, brother, son and friend and this has left an unfillable hole in all our lives. Helen (Andy’s wife) x.”

Sacha Lord, co-creator of the Parklife festival and The Warehouse Project and Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, said: “I’m extremely saddened to hear the news that Andy Martin from the Star and Garter has passed away. We were only messaging a couple of weeks ago. A huge loss to Manchester, that will never be replaced. My thoughts are with his family.”