THE pub trade in London’s East End is mourning one of its best-known traditional landlords and former chairman of their representative body. Ron Martin, guv’nor at the Britannia in Bow Common for 24 years, died aged 64 on July 2 after suffering a heart problem

By Julia Gregory

THE pub trade in London's East End is mourning one of its best-known traditional landlords and former chairman of their representative body.

Publican Ron Martin, guv'nor at the Britannia in Bow Common for 24 years, died aged 64 on July 2 after suffering a heart problem.

"He was a great friend and a real East End gent," said family friend Graham Whitmore. "The East End is a sadder place now he has gone."

DOCKER

Ron, who served as chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Association, was born in the East End in 1945 and went to Bethnal Green's Mansford School before going to work at the London Docks.

He later bought Millwall's Anchor & Hope pub on the Isle of Dogs, before moving to the Britannia in Bow Common Lane in 1985.

His son Neil Martin said: "He had lots of contacts in the trade. He was a very generous chap and did not let anyone go without. He never had a bad word for anyone."

FUNERAL

Ron married work colleague Margaret and the couple had two sons, Neil and Warren, and three grandchildren.

"We've had calls from the Canary Isles, Tenerife and Turkey from people who knew him." Neil added. "He will be sadly missed by family and friends."

Ron Martin's funeral leaves the Britannia in Bow Common Lane at 1.30pm next Wednesday, July 15, for a 2pm service at the City of London Crematorium.