E-Malt.com News article: UK: Smoking ban has not hurt us, say breweries

PUB chains and breweries were adamant on July 5th that the smoking ban is not affecting business too severely, IC Wales published July 6. But there is some anecdotal evidence that local traditional pubs outside Wales’ major urban areas are suffering a lack of custom.

One landlord in the Swansea Valley told the Western Mail he has been forced to sell his lease and is turning his back on the industry.

From April 2 this year, all enclosed public spaces in Wales – including hundreds of pubs, and rugby and working men’s clubs – were designated smoke-free.

Anyone caught smoking or allowing people to smoke will face a fine of anywhere between £50 and £2,500.

Wales’ smoking ban was followed by England’s this month, which made the whole of the UK a smoke-free zone.

Industry insiders are stressing business has not been affected and are keen to highlight the positives of the ban.

Eddie Gershon, spokesman for pub chain JD Wetherspoon, argued the ban has been positive for the industry.

He said, “We have always had smoking and non-smoking areas and when the ban came in, our customers were prepared for it.

“The ban has been something that we have welcomed and has been very positive. There are people who are now going to pubs who didn’t go before. “Since the ban in Wales came in, we have attracted a lot of new customers and a lot more families with children. All in all, it’s something which bodes well for the future. We don’t appear to have lost any customers – those who smoke can do so outside where possible.”

Simon Buckley, chief executive of West Wales brewer Evan-Evans, was also positive about the ban’s effects.

He said, “Our pubs seem to be trading as well as they did last year and we are picking up business from all over. We are in a growing situation as a company although I suspect some of the bigger brewers are suffering. But our sales are up and the brewery is at capacity.

“We have nine pubs across Wales and we have totally welcomed the ban – it’s been a good time for the pub trade to get an electric shock, which the ban has given us. “It’s focused people on quality and they understood that unless they offer quality, they are not going to get the customers through the door. “My attitude, very definitely, is that the smoking ban has given us new opportunity to sell premium- quality ales into a market place that is becoming very quality-orientated. “People are becoming discerning drinkers and we as a company are expanding.”

A spokesman for Wales’ biggest independent brewers, SA Brain & Co, said the company did not have any figures on the effect of the smoking ban.

But pub landlord Paul Jones, who runs the New Inn in Lower Cwmtwrch in the Swansea Valley, said he has been forced to sell up because of a loss of trade.

He said, “About 40% of our trade was cut because of the smoking ban. People are now going down the supermarket and are walking out with big slabs of ale.

“They are smoking in their own homes and drinking as much as they want because there are no controls over them. “I have sold the lease on my pub because I can’t continue with this drop in trade. Pubs are closing across the Valleys; some people have gained but most have lost. “The reality is that business is not going to bounce back and the breweries are just putting a brave face on things.”


06 July, 2007