The smoking ban: One year on (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

The smoking ban: One year on

9:48am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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LANDLORDS in the Cotswolds say that since the smoking ban was introduce a year ago today trade is down and some are struggling to survive.

Monday, July 1 marked the anniversary of the ban in England which meant smokers could no longer have a puff inside pubs, restaurants or places of work.

It was followed by the wettest summer on record with widespread flooding across the district leading some experts to label it a perfect storm' for the pub sector Since then two pubs in Cirencester have closed down, The Woodbine and The Royal Oak.

Dave Watson, landlord of the Wheatsheaf and president of the Cirencester Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "There have been a number of things affecting trade over the last 12 months and the smoking ban is one of them.

"There are some people who have predominantly food operations who have done better because it makes a nicer atmosphere.

"But establishments which are more focussed on drinks, say in town centre pubs with no outside area for smokers, have definitely suffered.

"Nationally figures are about 10-15 percent down on the trade as a whole."

Bill Broad, landlord of The Nelson Inn, Cirencester, said: "The smoking ban has had an adverse effect. I'm a non-smoker myself and it's nice without the fumes but it's bad for business.

"It has pushed smokers outside like naughty schoolchildren which will obviously deter them from coming out to the pub.

"It's bad for trade and should have been integrated slower rather than an overnight change. I've had to make several concessions on price and to attract customers. It makes business tough."

Many pubs put up smoking shelters in the beer gardens to provide cover for smokers during the wet, winter months.

The Rock nightclub spent thousands of pounds building a smoking extension balcony in the run-up to the ban to accommodate smokers on its premises.

Mr Watson added: "People won't stand out in the rain and the ban basically made it unpleasant for smokers during bad weather.

"If they came to watch a sports event they would have to go outside for a smoke and that is why more people are staying at home for those occasions."

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