TRIBUTES have been paid to one of York’s most popular publicans, after he died suddenly, at the age of 55.

Jon Farrow was co-owner and manager of The Slip in Clementhorpe, and was also co-owner of both The Volunteer Arms in Holgate and The Woolpack in Fawcett Street. He died in his sleep on Tuesday of last week.

Paul Crossman, his business partner and close friend, said Mr Farrow was a hero of York’s pub scene, having been instrumental in helping to save The Slip and The Volunteer Arms and turning them into thriving community pubs.

Mr Crossman said: “Everyone is devastated to have lost Jon. He was a much-loved member of the local community, a lovely family man and a dear friend to myself and many, many others.

“It has been a real privilege to work so closely with him over the past decade in a business we both hold so dear, and I am very proud of what we achieved together.”

Mr Farrow was born in Hartlepool but moved to Taunton at a young age, then spent most of his adult life in York. He was a respected accountant, including for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, before moving into the pub trade in 2009. He is survived by his four grown-up children: Emily, Katie, Joe and Jess. Julie, his wife of 23 years, died late last year after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Crossman said: “He is going to leave a massive gap in the local community. I have been approached by so many people, saying how much he meant to them and saying what a lovely, friendly chap he was. He always had time for everyone.”

Close friend Ian Warner also paid tribut: “He was friendly to everyone he met. His personality was such that the minute you met him, you felt you had known him for ever.”

Pete McNichol, who used to run The Swan and had been friends with Mr Farrow for more than 20 years, said: “He was an absolutely genuine, family man and friendly, honest chap. He never had a wrong word to say about anybody. He was a friend to everybody.”

Gavin Aitchison, who wrote The Press’s pub column until earlier this year, said: “Jon was a great landlord, friendly and authentic, and a wonderful person. His kindness, sincerity and real belief in pubs brought happiness to many, many people.”

A post-mortem showed Mr Farrow had a heart condition and bronchial pneumonia. His funeral will be at York Crematorium at 11am on Wednesday, June 21, followed by a gathering at The Winning Post pub in Bishopthorpe Road.