A PUB landlord and lady have thanked the “amazing” community, as they announced they were leaving the pub after nine years.

Moz and Tracey Tombs have been running pubs for 20 years and nine years ago took over the Foundry Arms in Lagland Street, Poole.

The pair admitted to nearly throwing in the towel after a matter of months but have now said they’d never known a community like that at the Foundry Arms.

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Now, nine years later, they are moving to Spain and into the AirBnB industry.

They said: “It’s just time for a change and to enjoy ourselves for a bit. It’s been a really emotionally hard decision.

“It’s an amazing pub and the customers are just fantastic. In the 20 years we have never known a better pub.

“It’s become a proper little community, the pensioners all come in for lunch and Sunday shenanigans is our best day it’s always packed.

“Every time we walk in the pub now our hearts just stop, we have held so many events whether it be wakes or marriages so we’ve been part of their journeys as well.”

Moz and Tracey said the outpouring of love they’d received since announcing they were leaving was “humbling”.

They said it had become a military pub and on Remembrance Day and a serving 17-year-old as well as a 105-year-old former Marine.

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“When we took over the pub it was quite run down,” they continued. “We didn’t take into consideration there’s no walkway traffic and we nearly threw the towel in.

“All of a sudden as the name got out there it took off and it’s just been brilliant.

“We hope whoever takes it over will carry on the ethos. Every single thing on the wall has a story, it’s like a museum.

“We are hoping we can get somebody that knows the pub to take it over but everyone has to put their own stamp on it.

“We have got a saying there that you enter as a stranger and leave as a friend.

“We love every one of them and that’s the truth.

“Just want to say a massive thanks to all our loyal customers over the years and thanks for all their help.”