ENGLISH pubs that have already banned smoking have seen their profits rise by
an average of 50 per cent, a survey by The Times has found.
There had been fears that bans would drive away customers, but instead food
sales in non-smoking pubs have risen by 80 per cent on average.
Terry Shears, owner of The Gate Inn in Atherstone, Warwickshire, said: “We’ve
gone from selling four to eight meals a night up to 90 meals a night. Sales
have rocketed and it’s a cleaner and nicer place to be. I’d recommend the
change to anyone.”
Between 5 and 10 per cent of pubs in England and Wales have already banned
smoking. New laws to be introduced next summer will make it illegal to light
up in public places.
The Times contacted 100 pubs that had banned smoking within the past
three years. Nine out of ten landlords reported that they were selling more
food. Nearly half said that drinks profits had increased by 37 per cent on
average, while a third said that drinks profits had stayed the same.
The pub chain Wetherspoons said that food sales at its 101 non-smoking
outlets, had increased by 10 per cent.
Punch Taverns, which has more than 9,000 pubs, started to introduce no-smoking
zones nearly three years ago. Today, 70 outlets are non-smoking.
Francis Patton, the customer services director, said: “Too many people are
looking at the smoking ban as a threat, but we know this is a huge
opportunity. The smoking ban is a great opportunity to get new customers
(who want to eat) into pubs and also to keep people there who go regularly.
Today, 90 per cent of pubs have an outdoor area, often with heating and
umbrellas.”
Smoking in enclosed areas was banned in Scotland in March. Since then, drinks
sales have dropped 11 per cent and food sales are down slightly.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, which represents more than 5,500 rural
publicans there, cited anecdotal evidence that pub turnover was down by 10
to 15 per cent on average since a national ban was introduced in March 2004.
Eight out of ten landlords in England and Wales questioned by The Times
said that their profits had gone up since they banned smoking. Just four per
cent said that they had lost money. The majority were rural pubs, but even
those in less affluent urban areas said that it had been a success. Many had
renovated their premises at the same time.
Ivan and Samantha Jenkins, who run The Blackburn Arms on the edge of Liverpool
city centre, said that they had completed a £500,000 renovation. “We have a
whole new audience now,” Mr Jenkins said. “We were a backstreet boozer that
was becoming a bit tired. Now we get a lot of young people and professionals
coming in. We didn’t serve food before, but now we do our turnover,
including drinks, has seen a five-fold increase.”
Nick Wright, landlord of The Bell Inn, in Ladbroke, Warwickshire, said:
“Traditionally we were a boozer where people just came in for a beer and a
steak.
“But since the ban it’s a lot cleaner and tidier, and people are coming in for
meals and bringing their families. Our food and drink sales are up 15 per
cent on last year.”
