DRINKERS and music fans in Frome have paid tribute to the popular landlord of a town venue after he sold up after more than 14 years.

Martin Earley has sold The Cornerhouse pub and music venue, which he has run since moving to the town.

In an emotional social media post, Martin said the sale of the premises had been completed, and that he would be stepping away from the venue.

“It’s 14 and a half years that has completely changed my life; highs and lows and running the business has been tough, but being part of this wonderful town and meeting so many awesome people has been a privilege, I’m not moving away and a lot of those people are now lifetime friends,” he said.

“When asked at the beginning what my recipe for running a pub was I just said to make it a pub I would like to go to, so that’s what I did.”

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He said the decision to open the pub was made during a visit with his daughter, Rhiannon.

“I knew nothing about Frome when I came and nobody here, but when I walked around with my daughter Rhiannon, who has been a huge support for which I thank her so much, we came across Raves from the Graves and I said to her, ‘any town that can support an independent record shop must be okay’, and so the decision to move here was made and my love of music instrumental in the way the pub was run,” he said.

The Cornerhouse has gone on to become a leading venue in Frome, visited by hundreds each week for a range of performances and events.

But Martin said the time to move on was right, amid some on-going health issues, but that he would remain a familiar face in the town.

“To thank everybody individually would take far to long but I certainly would like thank all of the musicians who have graced us with their talent, it’s been a blast,” he added.

“But two people no longer with us I owe a great debt to, Griff Daniel and Chrysee Morrison, whose support and guidance were invaluable.

“As a lot of people will know my heath has not been so good and my mobility has severely restricted my attendances on music nights but I have yet another stay at hospital planned after which I hope my mobility will improve.

“So, it just leaves me to thank my amazing staff and all of you for your most generous patronage and friendship.

“So bye for now and I hope to bump into you around town and at musical gigs and remember to keep supporting live music or you will lose it.”

Residents paid tribute to The Cornerhouse – and Martin’s efforts at bringing music to the town.

One wrote: “You put the music into pubs in Frome, setting the benchmark for everyone else. Such great memories of nights there.”

“Thank you for being so open to ideas as a venue they really have been golden days,” said another patron. “I feel very lucky to have been a small part of it all. Really best of everything in the future.”

And a third said: “You ran a fantastic pub, home to amazing music and much more. Looking forward to seeing you at many gigs to come.”