Food pubs warm to Scotland's ban

by Max Gosney Pub chefs in Scotland claim their businesses will continue to thrive despite the Scottish Executive's decision to outlaw smoking. Licensees are confident food business will remain buoyant in the face of an Irish-style blanket smoking ban from spring 2006. The First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell's bid to ban smoking from public buildings, will be introduced into the Scottish Parliament before Christmas. Tony Budde, proprietor/head chef at the Unicorn Inn in Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife, Scotland, said: "It's increasingly unfashionable to smoke with your meal and I don't see the ban having a significant impact on our trade." The ban could even stimulate a rise in the number of customers dining out, according to Gillian Stewart, licensee at the Black Bull in Killearn near Stirling. "I can see a smoking ban being a big boost to my trade. A number of our customers have complained that they won't order food in the bar because it is too smoky." Under the legislation people caught smoking in a pub will be hit with a £1,000 maximum fine while licensees face a £2,500 penalty and the possible loss of their licence. The impact of the ban will be determined by a pub's location and clientele according to Ross Brodie, head chef at the Inverbeg Inn at Luss, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire. "If you are a old fashioned boozer on the streets of Glasgow this is really going to hurt. But for a rural food-led pub the effect will be minimal." However, one gastro-pub operator is critical of the ban. Alastair Scoular, licensee at the Steam Packet Inn on the Isle of Whithorn, Galloway, said: "Even though we focus on food this is going to hit our drink's business badly. I'm very disappointed at our politician's approach to smoking.