Pubs have raised a hullabaloo over the proposed ban in food–serving pubs in England.The British Beer and Pub Association representing around 53,000 pubs, which accounts for 60% of the pubs in England and Wales, majority of which serve food felt that the ban is "grossly unfair".
They feel it is biased in favour of England's 22,000 private clubs who they are competing with. Chief Executive Rob Hayward said: "How does this square with the government's alcohol policy, which is supposedly trying to encourage more food in pubs?"
Ben Millard, owner of the White horse is dejected, as he says: "Many pubs, particularly the isolated ones ... who rely on local people, are going to see their income drop,"
While extending a smoking ban in nearly all workplaces, Patricia Hewitt, Health Secretary, exempted private clubs and pubs that do not serve food from this directive.
Meanwhile in neighbouring Wales, SA Brain, a brewery, is raising a hue and cry over the introduction of smoking ban in its 200 odd pubs in Cardiff. Unlike in England, the assembly government is expected to go a step further by introducing an outright ban.
Brains retail director Philip Lay felt that that a smoking ban could result in driving some pubs out of business and demanded a compensation package. Voicing his concern, he said: "People will not go to pubs as frequently because it's a place they can't go for a chat and a fag. And whether you like that or don't like it, the fact of the matter is that jobs will be lost.”
Others have decided to stop serving food once the ban comes into effect. One in five pubs will reportedly stop serving food so as to attract more customers, according to a survey. The drinks industry is up in arms against the government ban terming it a "shambolic" smoking ban. Yesterday, they raised concerns that thousands of pubs would have to be
Meanwhile, the industry is still awaiting complete details. The ban is to be enforced from summer 2007.
Posted
on : Sun, 30 Oct 2005 02:05 GMT | General News
By : Paula Jenkins
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