Clap for Matt Conrad at Orange Rooms in Southampton

Orange Rooms announced the sad news about Matt Conrad, saying the venue had lost “a friend and a prominent member of our Orange family”.

Orange Rooms owner Gary Bennetton said his “heart is broken” by the passing of his “straight talking” and “professional” friend.

“When you work closely with someone for so long and you speak to them on a daily basis, to not have them at the end of an e-mail, phone or Whats App group leaves you with a pretty empty feeling.

He said: “His loss is a devastating blow to everyone at Orange Rooms and his army of friends.

“I miss Matt already, but I am incredibly privileged to have known him and proud to call him my friend.”

Mr Bennetton is planning a one minute clap for Matt, who was originally from Essex, at Orange Rooms before the England kick off on Saturday. “Hopefully he’ll be able to hear it wherever he is now” he said.

Mr Conrad was also a partner in the city’s Oktoberfest event.

In 2019 following the removal of a brain tumour, he urged residents to help the Wessex Cancer Trust charity and went on to help raise £7000 for the charity though Oktoberfest Southampton.

Following the news, a statement from Orange Rooms said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our financial director Matt Conrad.

“Matt has been part of the Orange Rooms team for many years and his ideas and aspirations are prominent in the brand you see today.

“Through the good and the bad Matt was always working away in the background to grow the Orange Rooms brand and to help us all develop in our professional careers.

“His complicated Excel sheets were known by all, far and wide.

The tribute read: “We would like to pass on our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Matt’s friends but more especially to Matt’s family.”

The venue was closed yesterday (July 1) for a day of remembrance.

Donations can still be made to Wessex Cancer Trust can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oktoberfest-southampton.