Publicans claim smoking ban is killing their trade
Publicans claim smoking ban is killing their trade
By Lynn Brown
SIX months after smoking was outlawed in public places, publicans in Malton and Norton blame the legislation for a drop in business.
On July 1 a countrywide ban on smoking in workplaces and public buildings came into force.
Government officials say there has been a general compliance with the law, but police have reported a rise in anti-social behaviour linked to crowds of drinkers gathering outside pubs and clubs.
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And some pubs say the ban has damaged their business.
Steve Kinsella, landlord of the Railway Tavern, Norton, said the ban has devastated his teatime trade and costs him between £500 and £800 in lost business a week.
He said: "Lads used to enjoy a cigarette and a pint in the pub after working in the cold. Now they go straight home with a pack of cans from the supermarket. The smoking ban is trying to do away with businesses like mine which cater for ordinary working people.
"The Government wants us to become a bistro nation and in the process is trying to do away with traditional working men's pubs and our personal freedom to smoke if we choose to.
"Since the ban came into force, me and my bar staff must police it, which can cause threats and violence.
''I told a chap, who was from out of the area, to put out a fag he had lit up. He did but swore at me and could have easily escalated.
"It's making our job harder and I don't believe there was enough information provided about the real impact this would have on our industry.
''Issues such as anti-social behaviour and impact on heating costs with these outdoor smoking areas were not discussed in the debate before it came into force. I believe they pulled the wool over our eyes."
Landlords in Malton have also voiced their opposition to the ban.
Malcolm Braithwaite, who has run the Royal Oak in the Market Place for the past 10 years, said the legislation has had a big impact on his business.
He said: "Through the summer it was fine because we have a large beer garden at the back.
''But it's our winter trade which has been hit and I would say I'm down 10 per cent on last year. People can sit at home enjoy a fag and some cheap tins from the supermarket.
"This talk about the ban attracting people who stay away from pubs because of the smoky atmosphere was a lot of hot air.
I've definitely not seen any evidence to support this.
"But we had a good New Year and the summer will be coming around soon so I'm quietly optimistic."
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk
By Lynn Brown
SIX months after smoking was outlawed in public places, publicans in Malton and Norton blame the legislation for a drop in business.
On July 1 a countrywide ban on smoking in workplaces and public buildings came into force.
Government officials say there has been a general compliance with the law, but police have reported a rise in anti-social behaviour linked to crowds of drinkers gathering outside pubs and clubs.
advertisement
And some pubs say the ban has damaged their business.
Steve Kinsella, landlord of the Railway Tavern, Norton, said the ban has devastated his teatime trade and costs him between £500 and £800 in lost business a week.
He said: "Lads used to enjoy a cigarette and a pint in the pub after working in the cold. Now they go straight home with a pack of cans from the supermarket. The smoking ban is trying to do away with businesses like mine which cater for ordinary working people.
"The Government wants us to become a bistro nation and in the process is trying to do away with traditional working men's pubs and our personal freedom to smoke if we choose to.
"Since the ban came into force, me and my bar staff must police it, which can cause threats and violence.
''I told a chap, who was from out of the area, to put out a fag he had lit up. He did but swore at me and could have easily escalated.
"It's making our job harder and I don't believe there was enough information provided about the real impact this would have on our industry.
''Issues such as anti-social behaviour and impact on heating costs with these outdoor smoking areas were not discussed in the debate before it came into force. I believe they pulled the wool over our eyes."
Landlords in Malton have also voiced their opposition to the ban.
Malcolm Braithwaite, who has run the Royal Oak in the Market Place for the past 10 years, said the legislation has had a big impact on his business.
He said: "Through the summer it was fine because we have a large beer garden at the back.
''But it's our winter trade which has been hit and I would say I'm down 10 per cent on last year. People can sit at home enjoy a fag and some cheap tins from the supermarket.
"This talk about the ban attracting people who stay away from pubs because of the smoky atmosphere was a lot of hot air.
I've definitely not seen any evidence to support this.
"But we had a good New Year and the summer will be coming around soon so I'm quietly optimistic."
http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk
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