RIP Humphrey Smith

[Venod]

I posted this link in the Beer thread,
A bit of a legend in the brewing industry.
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26240979.humphrey-smith-tadcasters-sam-smiths-brewery-dies-81/

 

[Beebo]

I don’t know him, but I have been into a few of his pubs.
I’m sure he was trying to hold on to a long gone past which no longer exists.
The stuff you read implies he wasn’t a very nice person and had some very odd ways of dealing with his employees.

 

[DRM]

I think there will be lots of people who will be glad to see the back of him, leaving pubs empty on a whim with no tenant because something silly upset him is crazy, and when Tadcaster flooded & the Bridge had to repaired, refused point blank to allow a temporary footpath to put in across his land bypassing the bridge, effectively leaving Tadcaster cut in half.

 

[Beebo]

The BBC have run an obituary, detailing his achievements.
He was clearly a man of principle, probably not suited to the modern world of hospitality.
But he kept the business afloat whilst many others have gone under. It was an unlimited company, so he had huge control over its affairs, and clearly wasn’t after a fast buck, which has been the downfall of many others pub chains.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0ky1v2e275o

 

[T4tomo]

good riddance to him.