3rd May 2007

Are you ready for the smoking ban?

From 1 July smoking will be illegal in every pub, club and restaurant in England. And Hook Norton says it is ready for the ban. Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “The end of smoking in pubs presents us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to market our pubs, to both existing customers and new ones, as never before. “Where we can do it, customers who currently smoke, will be able to do so outside.

In some cases we may be able to provide some form of appropriate shelter, but this depends on planning and licensing laws.” Research by the licensee of the Bell at Adderbury, John Bellinger, shows that customers who smoke will not be turning their back on their local.

A survey of 75 Bell customers found only one of the nine smokers said they would visit the pub less often after the ban. And in a recent one-day trial of no smoking at the Bell, John had one of his busiest trading days for a while. James Clarke continued: “There is no going back on the smoking ban, but after it is introduced, I am sure the pub will still be the most popular place for people to go out to.

The pub will still be at the heart of many communities and the pub will be the place where people go to meet friends and family and enjoy a glass of real Hooky beer.”