Non-smoking pubs face loss in trade (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Non-smoking pubs face loss in trade

LANDLORDS in the Cotswolds have voiced mixed reactions to the Government's approval of a total smoking ban in pubs and private clubs.

With the end date for people being able to enjoy a cigarette with their pint time-tabled for summer 2006, licensees in the pubs, restaurants and bars across the area are sharing their views on the imminent ban.

However, there are concerns the new legislation will be a massive blow to some establishments.

In recent years, similar bans have been introduced throughout Ireland and in New York. In both cases, the move was followed by a marked decrease in trade for publicans.

Adrian Butt, who runs the Royal Oak in Leighterton, said he thought business would be affected when the ban comes into force.

He said: "It will affect trade for a while. In the long-term it won't make any difference but in the short-term trade will drop off for the first six months. A lot of our regulars smoke. After the ban we will have to cater for them because we need them, it's hard enough being a country pub as it is."

Dave Watson, landlord of the Wheatsheaf in Cirencester and chairman of the Licensed Victualers Association, said pubs across the country could expect to see a drop in trade.

He said: "It will affect pubs immensely. The figures for Ireland show an 11 percent drop in trade national with 13 percent in Dublin and that's been going for two years. In New York it was initially a 30 percent drop off but that returned to 10 percent since as it stabilised.

"I can't help but think there will be a loss to the pub trade of people who will not come back."

But Phil Britton, landlord of the White Hart Hotel in Cricklade, said he was in favour of the ban.

He said: "I think it's a very good idea. We have probably got 70 percent of our drinkers who smoke but I think because it is a blanket ban everybody is in the same boat.

"If the Government had gone down the partial ban route it might have been an issue with trade because the smokers would have gone to other places.

"It works in Ireland where all the smokers go outside. We can only be positive - there are more non-smokers than smokers and more of them will come out.

"The culture of drinking has got to change anyway, everyone has got a year to come round to the fact. If they don't change they will lose out in the end and if people give up because they can't smoke in a bar, even better."