Smoking Solutions

From summer 2007 if people want to smoke at a pub, they will have to do so outside. The introduction of the smoking ban is the biggest change to the pub industry for more than 20 years. Already many landlords are scrambling to ensure they will cope with the ban when it comes into force in England and Wales in summer 2007.

The UK`s biggest landlords (Including Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns and Green King) have announced spending of more than 100 million pounds to provide its pubs with facilities to offer smokers somewhere pleasant outside to enjoy a drink and a cigarette.

The British Beer and Pub Association estimates several hundred pubs could close as a result of a downturn in business because of the ban.

However the long term outlook may not be entirely gloomy. James Ainley, analyst at JP Morgan said "We think that there is a risk of some downturn in sales in the short term, but expect that the longer term impact on the trade could actually be positive". Mr Ainley tates "It`s a bit of a shock and awe approach. If you do not anything before the ban, you are going to be in trouble".

As the smoking ban was introduced in Scotland in March 2006, analysts have had some time to access its impact. In Scotland research indicates that turnover from drink and amusement machines has fallen but that income from food sales has risen. It is the issue of food related sales that gives the pub industry hope for the long term health of the sector.

Approximately 75% of the British population does not smoke. Of this larger percentage it is argued that these people will be tempted to frequent pubs once they become smoke free. Serving food is the obvious way to get more people to visit your establishment. However one of the lessons learnt from Scotland is that some pubs concentrated too hard on the food side and neglected the drinks side of the business.

The right balance is crucial to ensure a profitable establishment. Ideally those pubs who do not sell food, should explore the possibility of offering food to attract new custom and also ensure that there is a suitable outdoor area for smokers to enjoy a drink and to smoke. Many pubs have taken advantage of the situation by offering both indoor and outdoor drinking and eating areas to catch all segments of the market.

Preparing for the ban need not cost the earth. In most cases a "smoking solution" can cost from just a few thousand pounds. A common response by landlords is that they do not want to erect a glass or metal bus shelter. A bus shelter type structure will certainly not inspire people. Creativity is the key - customers will look for something inviting and different.

African thatched gazebos and structures have already been installed in many pub gardens to prepare for the new smoking ban. Landlords have been inspired by their unique and inviting appearance for both smoking rooms and outdoor eating areas. (All our African thatch is pre treated with a fire retardant chemical so you don't need to worry about using our thatched structures as an outdoor smoking area).

As the industry braces itself, a fall in custom is not the only thing landlords fear. Take the gas outdoor patio heaters many pubs are installing: they are a massive contributor to global warming and could generate customer hostility. There are even fears that this type of heating may be banned in the future. Our advice would be to only purchase outdoor quartz halogen heaters. These heaters provide instant and directional heat, warming people and objects and not the air in between. They are considerably cheaper to run than comparable gas heaters (up to 9 times cheaper) and are less likely to generate any customer dissatisfaction.