Landlords prepare for 'unfair' ban (From Gazette Series)

Landlords prepare for 'unfair' ban

PUB landlords in the Gazette area are preparing for a financial loss if the Government's proposed smoking ban in pubs comes in to effect. The proposal, which is expected to become law in less than two years, would lead to a ban on smoking in all public places where food is being served, excluding private social clubs. Gazette reporter Alex Ross has this week been finding out what local landlords think of the proposed ban.

MOST pub landlords in the Gazette area do not welcome a complete ban on smoking in their establishments but have started to face up to, and prepare for, what they see as the inevitable.

Steve Herbert, landlord at the Old Spot Inn, Dursley, has already begun planning areas outside his pub where his smoking customers can light up.

Mr Herbert told the Gazette this week: "We always knew this proposal was going to happen and have started preparing for it by planning to build a shelter for smokers outside the pub.

"We want to be able to accommodate our current customers as much as possible so we can limit any financial loss."

Mr Herbert said he was very unhappy about the proposed ban, calling it unfair on pubs.

"I think the proposal is sitting on the fence, it is trying to please two sides leading to a compromised result which no one is happy with."

He claimed that The Spot Inn would not stop serving food in order to avoid any ban on smoking.

"We will continue selling food, it is a large part of our business and something we are renowned for. We are, infact, introducing new evening menus to bring in more custom."

In North Nibley, near Wotton-under-Edge, however, staff at one pub feel they can ride the storm, claiming the ban will not effect business.

Candice Hewitt, manager of the Black Horse, said: "Customers often go outside to smoke anyway due to the non-smoking areas inside our pub. I don't see any reason why people would have a problem with continuing to do this if a smoking ban covered the whole pub."

"Pubs nearby all sell food, so it is unlikely we will lose many of the smokers who already come here."

She added: "I am against the ban, I feel that if you are going to ban smoking you should ban it completely, not partially," she said.

Keith Long, landlord of The Knot of Rope Inn on Thornbury High Street, believes that the ban would lead to a polarisation of pubs in the town.

"Pubs in Thornbury will be split into two categories, those that are full of smokers drinking, and those just serving food," he said.

"It will lead to two extremes, where not only the pubs but also the customers will lose out."

Mr Long, who said he will not stop selling food on the premises, is also considering methods to keep smokers coming to the pub.

"I am even considering changing the bar into a separate members club in order to keep my bar customers, of which 80 percent are smokers," he said.

"I know that I am in the same situation as other landlords in Thornbury, most of us will suffer severe financial loss if the smoking ban does come in to place. It would be another nail in the coffin for Thornbury High Street."

Landlord, Andrew Meredith, of The Swan in Nibley, Yate, believes that the proposal sends out mixed messages from Government.

"The government is constantly telling us to persuade drinkers to eat food, to reduce the chances of them getting drunk, but this proposal would push many pubs to stop selling food to avoid the smoking ban. It is a complete contradiction," he said.

Mr Meredith also feels that the proposal could cause more trouble for police.

"The police will not want to see groups of drinkers standing on street corners for a smoke. But this is exactly what the smoking ban would lead to," he added.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), whose members are responsible for enforcing smoking legislation, has described the Government proposal as contradictory and complex.

Fearing that one in five pubs will stop selling food in order to accommodate smokers, the institute claims that on-street consumption of fast food will increase as burger vans proliferate, all in contrast to the government's healthy eating message.

CIEH director of policy, Ian Foulkes said: "The only winners out of this will be the tobacco industry who will continue to make profit out of damaging the health of our nation. It begs the question as to what is the Government for, if not to protect health."