Pub's trade is hit by smoking ban (From Gazette Series)

Pub's trade is hit by smoking ban

3:52pm Monday 26th November 2007

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A LANDLORD in Berkeley has warned that the five-month-old smoking ban is killing his business.

Charles Andrews, landlord of the Mariners' Arms in Berkeley, said people were being put off going outside to smoke because of the colder weather.

He said: "I think since the colder weather arrived it is having a big effect.

"People are thinking I don't want to go to the pub because if I want to smoke I've got to go outside."

England became smoke-free at the start of July. The law was introduced to protect employees and outlawed smoking in virtually all enclosed public places including pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants.

Mr Andrews, who has owned the Mariners' Arms for four years, said that in the last month he has had to reduce his staffing costs by 20 per cent by reducing hours and not replacing employees who leave.

He said: "I'm extremely worried about the pub. I'm trying to cut costs. If I can't cut my costs enough the pub could be facing an uncertain future."

Mr Andrews said he is trying to attract new customers to his pub with food offers and by providing an outdoor shelter for smokers.

"I've been trying to keep a brave face and be optimistic.

I hoped that the ban might see some more people who don't smoke come to the pub but that hasn't happened.

"With the warmer weather we didn't see a massive change, but now with the colder weather there has been quite a drop in the last month," he added.

Dr Susan Hatton, 59, of Berkeley, who is a retired doctor, is a regular at the Mariners' Arms.

She said: "I think we are in grave danger of losing the pub. I am not against the ban completely. I don't know why we can't have most of the pub smoke free and then just have a smoking room.

"There is an elderly gentleman who smokes a pipe. He has a wife with Alzheimer's, who he cares for, and his one pleasure of the day is to have a pint and his pipe but now he has to go and stand outside in the cold."

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