| Sheena Thomson, vice- president of Dundee Licensed Trade Association, said the full impact of the ban was still being assessed leading up to its first anniversary, but reports from the DLTA’s members suggested many had suffered.
Mrs Thomson’s claim follows the announcement by brewing giant Scottish & Newcastle it expects to lose at least £10 million in 2007 due the smoking ban.
Its introduction in Scotland last year will be extended to Wales on April 2 and England on July 1.
S&N said traditional city pubs without beer gardens had been worst affected. Mrs Thomson agreed with that assessment and said premises without smoking shelters were particularly badly hit by poor weather.
“We have had reports from members that they have had quite a large downturn over the winter months,” she explained.
“You can’t really blame people for not wanting to stand outside in the freezing cold.”
She said although many had applied for smoking shelters, and Dundee City Council was doing its best to process applications, there was no quick fix.
“It is very difficult for many of our members to come up with a solution and, as a consequence, there have been places that have found it very hard going recently.”
However, Mrs Thomson suggested there might be a small silver lining for those pubs lucky enough to have a beer garden in the summer.
She said the prospect of having an outdoor area would be a big bonus, and could help some traders make up losses sustained over the winter.
Mrs Thomson also cited other factors, such as large rises in utility bills, for the plight of many.
“The smoking ban has just compounded the difficulties faced by many licensees,” she added.
“We are coming up for the end of its first full year and only now the whole picture is becoming clear.
“However, I think people have adapted quite well to it and customers in Dundee have been fantastic in supporting their local pubs and remaining within the law.”
Reflecting the problems in the licensed trade, The Campaign for Real Ale claims more than 1300 pubs nationwide are under threat from closure.
CAMRA’s branches UK wide were asked for details of pubs in their area that have been permanently lost and those that face closure.
The figures suggest 56 pubs a month are lost for ever, and 1300 pubs are closed with an uncertain future.
However, research also suggested more people are likely to visit pubs in England and Wales more often after the ban.
CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner said, “This survey shows that non-smokers will be attracted to pubs after the ban comes into force.
“It will be a difficult transition for licensees, but it is encouraging only 3% of people surveyed by CAMRA said they would not visit pubs at all as a result of the ban.” |
