Pubs RIP

mkpdavies · 24-02-2008, 11:12 AM

Just reading through the vast majority of comments on a pub website on smoking. Well done fascists, looks like you are succeeding in destroying another British institution. I hope you are proud you bunch of scum.
The Publican - Home

Quote:

"After just experiencing my first smoke free weekend of trading, I have to admit I'm devastated. Customer morale is low, wet sales are the lowest I've had in three years and the cheery pub atmosphere has diminished. Never before have I had to put money in my own jukebox on a weekend night simply to ' liven things up ' ! I sincerely think that as the Government financially helped out our British farmers in the foot & mouth crisis when they were financially struggling (which was after all a natural catastrophe y then, British publicans should also get compensation for damaged businesses due to a government imposed loss of trade."
Karen, Severn View Inn, Gloucestershire

Quote:

"I banned smoking in My pub 3 years ago. For my own health and for my staff's health. I have enjoyed 3 years of excellent takings - Sunday to Wednesday no seats available Thursday to Saturday standing room only. Since the 1st July my takings have suffered badly. My customers can now drink in their nearest pub as we are all smoke free. I want to go back to the good old days when smoking in pubs was allowed!"
Clive, The Sun, Tipton, West Midlands

Quote:

"The pub was normally packed before the ban. After the ban - eight people inside the pub, 70 people outside smoking. This pub is primarily a smoking pub. I agree with the ban in principle such as venues that serve food but I think that publicans should have had the choice as to whether to go smoking or smoke free."
Dave, Forestdale Arms, South Croydon, Surrey

Quote:

"The pub is dead of atmosphere and people. The bad weather doesn't exactly tempt smokers out into your garden."
John, The Dukes Head, Hampton, Surrey

Quote:

"I am the cleaner at the Black Bull and a member of the ladies darts team. We had a friendly on Monday 2nd July and the smoking ban totally ruined the atmosphere among our teams as more than half of the team had to spend time out of doors to have a smoke. God only knows what it will be like in winter! The majority of the punters in our local smoke and I think the pub will fall apart like many more in our area."
Jan, The Black Bull, Bedlington, Northumberland

Quote:

"Trade hasn't changed that much but now I have a neighbour who is constantly hanging over her fence shouting at the smokers outside my pub because they are making to much noise. All they are doing is talking. I have to shut my beer garden at 11pm so the smokers go on to the pavement where there is no covering and they get soaked. I can not put any canopies up because this woman is already complaing about a small Sky Sports TV banner. Where is the law that protects pubs that have been trading for years? My pub has been here since the 18th century. Her house was built in 1960 something yet everytime she complains I have a visit from the Local Council and Licensing Officer."
Sam Hill, Newbridge Arms, Newbridge

Quote:

The atmosphere has changed for the worse. The fun loving folk are subdued and the fabled non-smoking absentees are still absent. We have yet to see the smoking police but I fear a verbal lynching is in store for them if they dare to make themsleves known. This prohibition is unacceptable, undemocratic, illiberal, intolerant and unworkable. We must band together to beat it.
Iain, Clifton, Bristol

Quote:

"We had a full bar on saturday and have not had one since and dont think we will as i cant see where the trade is going to come from."
P Cohen, Eleanor's Arms, Bow

Quote:

"Our pub used to be a lively pub - we already have great food, live music, karaoke, accommodation, kids play area, etc so we cant introduce any more to intice new people to come in. We have spent four years building up our trade and its now lost over night. We are down by at least 50% on turnover. If it was not for our accommodation and function room bookings we would have gone under. The only pubs that are still busy are managed pubs whose brewery has paid out mega bucks to build nice new smoking areas. Others are having to find money from dwindling profits to build something - why should we? This is government legislation so can we claim back our losses from them - like the farmers did?"
Jacqui, Red Lion, Totton

Quote:

"The upside is that the pub is much easier to clean. We recently decorated throughout and Marstons arranged steam cleaning of the carpets and upholstry so the pub is nice and fresh. Gone are all the smells associated with smoking, but where are the non-smokers who could now enjoy the non polluted atmosphere. Well I can tell you they are all outside with the smokers. We are a community pub with customers mainly comming in to have a drink and gossip with plenty of banter - that's what creates the atmosphere, but all thats seem to have gone now. Smokers and non-smokers are all huddled up under my jumberella outside whatever the weather, all looking miserable."
Derek, The Guild Merchant, Preston

So well done fascists. Because of your demands that pubs be exactly to your requirments, everyone has less pubs to go to. I see rats in a better light than you.

Mikeuk · 24-02-2008, 12:10 PM

The pubs I visit are still busy. Those that have introduced well heated and lighted outdoor smoking areas are busier than ever.

They are also attractive, clean and well-run pubs which I have no doubt makes a crucial difference. Maybe people are getting more choosy these days.

John Connor · 24-02-2008, 03:16 PM

I haven't been to a pub since before the ban. If I want to stand outside having a smoke, I can do that at home. With beer at 20% of the pub price.

Aardvark · 24-02-2008, 04:34 PM

The issue is pricing. I have argued that supermarkets shouldn't be allowed to sell alcohol and that draught beer in pubs should be duty free. It should be made cheaper to drink in pubs, age limit for drinking beer should be reduced to 16 (as in Germany) and then people will go to pubs again. I love drinking in pubs and will miss them when they're gone, but the government is owned lock, stock and barrel by Sainsbury's and Tesco and will not do anything to stop them making obscene profits from 24 hour sales of cheap, low quality booze to the teenagers.

Smoking is personal choice. It is up to publicans to decide what they want to do. If barstaff don't want to work in a smoky atmosphere they can work elsewhere, if customers don't want to drink in a smoky atmosphere there has long been a choice to drink elsewhere. Smoking over eateries should be restricted, but otherwise it is up to the individual. I have been avoiding smoke filled bars and restaurants for years; if they can do without my trade that is their decision.

Sadly there are people who never drink in pubs, who never eat in restaurants and who don't mix with the working classes who believe thay have the duty to tell others what to do. It isn't fascism, it's just rank bad manners.

Britannist · 24-02-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

.....looks like you are succeeding in destroying another British institution.

That is the intention of Labour, the pro-EU Liberal Dims and the rest of the europhile 'elite' (all of whom voted for the smoking ban in England) - to destroy as many traditional British institutions as they can: and that includes public houses.

Britannist · 24-02-2008, 06:34 PM

Smokers and non-smokers opposed to the smoking ban can join Forest - here is a link to their excellent website:

FOREST Online Home Page

Britannist · 24-02-2008, 06:35 PM

Ways to support Forest:

Support FOREST

stathan · 24-02-2008, 06:45 PM

Hang on just a cotton picking moment!!!!!

You've always bleated to me that non smoking pubs were a totally bankrupt idea and yet you've just posted proof positive that this was a shameless lie!

This publican has also just pointed out that his customers have now shot off to inhabit other smoke free pubs ..But you told me that there was no demand!!

Once again you miss pointing the finger at the true culprits for the pubs decline..the refusal of smelly smokers to breathe clean air and keep pubs open like the non smokers are clearly doing.

And 50p a pint lager in the supermarkets as opposed to £2.75 a pint down the pub at a time when many wage earners are feeling the pinch from years of Labours continued taxation after taxation policy.

Britannist · 24-02-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stathan

You've always bleated to me that non-smoking pubs were a totally bankrupt idea and yet you've just posted proof positive that this was a shameless lie!

Stathan: are you possible getting confused with the postings of another person? All I have ever said (here on this forum) on this is that the law should be changed to allow public houses and clubs to opt to become officially designated smoking or non-smoking venues.

Aardvark · 24-02-2008, 10:21 PM

I used to support Forest when I was at Trent Poly, others supported Notts County.

24-02-2008, 03:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
John Connor Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hard Working Families' Socialist Republic of Untied Kingdomistan Posts: 1,165 Party: None	I haven't been to a pub since before the ban. If I want to stand outside having a smoke, I can do that at home. With beer at 20% of the pub price. __________________ There are three types of people in this world: Libertarians, fascists and those who haven't been paying attention. Users on ignore list: Akria, Besoeker, Clippo, Ian C.

24-02-2008, 04:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,253	The issue is pricing. I have argued that supermarkets shouldn't be allowed to sell alcohol and that draught beer in pubs should be duty free. It should be made cheaper to drink in pubs, age limit for drinking beer should be reduced to 16 (as in Germany) and then people will go to pubs again. I love drinking in pubs and will miss them when they're gone, but the government is owned lock, stock and barrel by Sainsbury's and Tesco and will not do anything to stop them making obscene profits from 24 hour sales of cheap, low quality booze to the teenagers. Smoking is personal choice. It is up to publicans to decide what they want to do. If barstaff don't want to work in a smoky atmosphere they can work elsewhere, if customers don't want to drink in a smoky atmosphere there has long been a choice to drink elsewhere. Smoking over eateries should be restricted, but otherwise it is up to the individual. I have been avoiding smoke filled bars and restaurants for years; if they can do without my trade that is their decision. Sadly there are people who never drink in pubs, who never eat in restaurants and who don't mix with the working classes who believe thay have the duty to tell others what to do. It isn't fascism, it's just rank bad manners. __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

24-02-2008, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 23,154	Smokers, non-smokers, ban, Forest, link, excellent website Smokers and non-smokers opposed to the smoking ban can join Forest - here is a link to their excellent website: FOREST Online Home Page

24-02-2008, 06:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 23,154	Ways to support Forest Ways to support Forest: Support FOREST

24-02-2008, 10:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 4,253	I used to support Forest when I was at Trent Poly, others supported Notts County. __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

24-02-2008, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mikeuk Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fareham Posts: 5,761 Party: Conservatives	The pubs I visit are still busy. Those that have introduced well heated and lighted outdoor smoking areas are busier than ever. They are also attractive, clean and well-run pubs which I have no doubt makes a crucial difference. Maybe people are getting more choosy these days.

24-02-2008, 06:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
stathan Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 423	Hang on just a cotton picking moment!!!!! You've always bleated to me that non smoking pubs were a totally bankrupt idea and yet you've just posted proof positive that this was a shameless lie! This publican has also just pointed out that his customers have now shot off to inhabit other smoke free pubs ..But you told me that there was no demand!! Once again you miss pointing the finger at the true culprits for the pubs decline..the refusal of smelly smokers to breathe clean air and keep pubs open like the non smokers are clearly doing. And 50p a pint lager in the supermarkets as opposed to £2.75 a pint down the pub at a time when many wage earners are feeling the pinch from years of Labours continued taxation after taxation policy.

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