Ban makes landlords fume in bad weather
THE smoking ban is beginning to take its toll on the pub trade in Spen, landlords have claimed.
The foul weather this winter has deterred smokers from going to the pub – and landlords are feeling the pinch.
Shirley O'Donnell at the Red Lion, Heckmondwike, said trade started off well since she took over 13 months ago, ending a two-year closure of the pub.
But as winter has drawn in, trade has been down.
She said: "We did have a gazebo outside but it got blown down and now there's nowhere in our pub where smokers can go.
"We have elderly people coming in who are used to smoking in the pub and nowhere else.
"It feels disrespectful telling them what to do. My father was a miner who couldn't smoke at work, and didn't smoke at home either. The only place he smoked was the pub.
"The ban should have divided pubs 50-50 into smoking and non-smoking rooms.
"Even the non-smokers are annoyed because they end up sitting on their own while their mates go out to smoke.
"And beer sales are down because people are spending so much time outside. It's affected everyone, and I can't say it's attracted any new customers."
Red Lion regular Alan Harmer, of Heckmondwike, said most of the pub's clientele were smokers.
He said: "The majority of people who go out for a drink in Heckmondwike smoke.
"It would have been nice for pubs to have a choice. If it had been put to a referendum I think even non-smokers would have opted for pubs to have a smoking room."
Fellow regular David Heywood, of Cleckheaton, agreed.
He said: "I haven't smoked for 22 years but I think the ban is stupid. It's killing pubs.
"People have to keep going outside, which is no good, especially in weather like we've had recently."
Their comments come in the wake of a dispute over the ban in Huddersfield, where Stuart Smith brazenly flouted the new rules by inviting people to light up at the College Arms on Queensgate.
But while the ban might be attracting more complaints, the authorities are showing no signs of tolerating protests.
A summons has been issued against Mr Smith for not displaying no-smoking signs and for allowing people to smoke.
He appears before magistrates on Monday.
Kirklees issued a stern warning to landlords.
Steve Noble, assistant director for environmental services said: "We will not have mavericks breaking the law.
"Other publicans who have seen the publicity be warned – do not even think of following suit, otherwise you, and your customers, will be hit very heavily in your pockets."
But already the ban is hitting publicans in their pockets.
Dean Spencer runs the New Yew Tree in Littletown with landlady Sharon Spencer.
He said: "Christmas was pretty good, but before and after that trade has definitely been down by about 30 per cent.
"We've put up shelters with heaters outside, but they are just canopies. If it's windy and rainy it still gets in.At the moment the future looks pretty bleak."
Trade is down at the Wetherspoon pub The Obediah Brooke in Cleckheaton, but deputy manager Colin Deakin doesn't blame the smoking ban.
He said: "People don't have much money after Christmas and I don't think this January has been any worse than last.
"We have a smoking area outside which is where the indoor smoking area was before, so our smoking customers only have to walk 10 yards to have a cigarette."
The pub applied to have a canopy put up outside, but the council refused planning permission.
Mr Deakin added: "I approve of the smoking ban because we serve food."
The Marsh in Cleckheaton is adapting to make the best of the situation.
The majority of this year's budget has been spent on a heated outdoor seating area with a glass roof, surrounded by plants which licensee Karen Barker hopes will help to keep the elements at bay.
Karen, who runs the Bradford Road pub with her husband, Neil, said: "I think when the weather picks up it will be very popular and will appeal to everyone.
"It's hard to keep your customers these days so it's important to do your best to please them."
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
