Really sad news. Simon had a massive effect on me, he was the one venue owner who gave us a chance. When everyone else said no Simon said ‘sounds good’! So, that was the catalyst for everything really. Without a venue like the Tap and Spile there’s no 36th Chamber sessions. Resident for 13 years. Every single Sunday night. I think I missed perhaps 5 in that whole time. Well over 500 gigs, and that was just the Sundays..

Of course we ran into problems regularly and often. At one point every time I saw Simon he would be chastising me for (mostly) other people’s bad behaviour, which I’d always promise to prevent, but in reality operated a very much laissez faire attitude with the guests.. Even in those times he was always able to see me as a person separate from I suppose his employee. One memory in particular pops up. I can’t remember precisely what the infraction was, I popped in the pub after work, and he accused me of having committed this infraction on the previous night, which I strenuously denied, because of course I would have do that! He was already chuckling and asked me to step into his office, where he laughed at me whilst showing me the CCTV of me doing the infraction. Simon got a sheepish apology and was quite happy. Other venue owners would be cancelling gigs and going nuts!!

Simon was a real asset to the Tap & Spile and the place came to life because of him. I’m 100% he has many other facets to his character but this is how I knew him and he really did have a positive influence on my life, literally trusted me enough to make what I could of the nights I promoted in his venue, no interference.

For whatever it is worth, Thank You Simon, you had my respect from the first time we met and you helped me more than you know.

May you Rest in Peace!