SMOKING BAN HANGOVER LEAVES PUBS 'ON BRINK'
SMOKING BAN HANGOVER LEAVES PUBS 'ON BRINK'
Swansea pubs could go to the wall as a result of the smoking ban.
The warning has come from the city's Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA).
Six months after the introduction of the ban in Wales, pubs have lost up to 20 per cent of their trade, according to the group.
Grey Phillips, secretary of the city LVA, said: "They will be closing. Everybody is talking about it."
The LVA, which represents 32 pub operators in Swansea, says some pubs are teetering on the brink of closure. Click here to votee on whether the smoking ban has stopped you going to the pub.
Mr Phillips said: "People say we are being too dramatic, but we are not.
"We have looked at it, and it is bad.
"It is particularly bad for the smaller, single licensee who has been there for years and had his regular customers."
And Mr Phillips doubts there will be any change in fortunes for struggling publicans.
He said: "We will have a review in 2010 and we will see what we can do - if we are still in existence."
Just 10 years ago the LVA had some 144 members, but numbers have dwindled.
"I don't think it will pick up again," said Mr Phillips.
"Even the large locals in the side streets will be going to the wall. The future is grim for licensees."
He said that since the smoking ban came into force in Ireland in 2004, villages which had four pubs ended up with just one.
John Price, secretary of the LVA in Wales, said pubs which were struggling needed to invest in shelters.
But the problem they face is that because of the lack of trade, they cannot afford the investment needed.
The smoking ban was introduced across Wales on April 2.
Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) in Wales's director, Tanya Buchanan, said the result of the smoking ban in Scotland had been small.
"There was already a decline in licensed premises ahead of the ban," she said.
"The impact of drink-drive legislation has contributed to people not drinking."
Mr Phillips said: "There is massive competition from the supermarkets that are selling alcohol cheaply.
"People should support their local pub. If they want to smoke, give it up for half an hour."
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161818&command=displayContent&sourceNode=161644&contentPK=18694451&folderPk=88499&pNodeId=161365
Swansea pubs could go to the wall as a result of the smoking ban.
The warning has come from the city's Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA).
Six months after the introduction of the ban in Wales, pubs have lost up to 20 per cent of their trade, according to the group.
Grey Phillips, secretary of the city LVA, said: "They will be closing. Everybody is talking about it."
The LVA, which represents 32 pub operators in Swansea, says some pubs are teetering on the brink of closure. Click here to votee on whether the smoking ban has stopped you going to the pub.
Mr Phillips said: "People say we are being too dramatic, but we are not.
"We have looked at it, and it is bad.
"It is particularly bad for the smaller, single licensee who has been there for years and had his regular customers."
And Mr Phillips doubts there will be any change in fortunes for struggling publicans.
He said: "We will have a review in 2010 and we will see what we can do - if we are still in existence."
Just 10 years ago the LVA had some 144 members, but numbers have dwindled.
"I don't think it will pick up again," said Mr Phillips.
"Even the large locals in the side streets will be going to the wall. The future is grim for licensees."
He said that since the smoking ban came into force in Ireland in 2004, villages which had four pubs ended up with just one.
John Price, secretary of the LVA in Wales, said pubs which were struggling needed to invest in shelters.
But the problem they face is that because of the lack of trade, they cannot afford the investment needed.
The smoking ban was introduced across Wales on April 2.
Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) in Wales's director, Tanya Buchanan, said the result of the smoking ban in Scotland had been small.
"There was already a decline in licensed premises ahead of the ban," she said.
"The impact of drink-drive legislation has contributed to people not drinking."
Mr Phillips said: "There is massive competition from the supermarkets that are selling alcohol cheaply.
"People should support their local pub. If they want to smoke, give it up for half an hour."
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161818&command=displayContent&sourceNode=161644&contentPK=18694451&folderPk=88499&pNodeId=161365
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